Al Jazira, Al Wasl scrape through in tough contests

Reigning champions Al Jazira came from behind to beat Ajman 4-3 yesterday, while Al Wasl's players gave their coach Diego Maradona a cause to forget his personal sadness following the death of his mother as they overcame Emirates 2-1 in the fifth week of the Etisalat Pro League season. Al Jazira not only won their match, but they also took a valuable lesson in not under-estimating newly-promoted Ajman. Their arrogance and a dazzling performance from Ajman captain Karim Kerkar saw the leaders trail 2-0 at half-time. Kerkar created the first goal for Ebrahima Toure on 40 minutes and then scored the second from a free-kick four minutes later. Al Jazira coach Franky Vercauteren brought on Brazilian Bare after the break and the lanky striker scored form his first touch following a pass form Abdullah Qasim. A defensive blunder sent Ajman's Toure clear and he scored a beautiful goal in the 57th minute to make it 3-1. But the defenders of Al Jazira made amends as they scored three goals from dead ball situations. Abdullah Mousa headed home a corner in the 57th minute, Juma Abdullah swept in another flag kick in the 73rd and Lucas Neill added the winner following yet another corner seven minutes from time. Al Wasl kept up the pressure on the leaders as they also came from behind to beat Emirates 2-1 in Ras Al Khaimah. Noure put the home team into the lead in the 26th minute, but Wahid Esmail levelled on the stroke of half-time. Subsititute Edson Puch added the winner in the 88th minute.