Al Dhafrah and Al Shaab earn promotion

Al Dhafrah and Al Shaab marked their re-entry into top-notch football although in bizarre conditions here late on Friday. Ten-man Al Shaab won 3-2 over Al Dhafrah in faraway Al Ain thus denying neighbours Sharjah a qualifying spot despite Sharjah Club winning 2-1 against bottom-placed Emirates Club of Ras Al Khaimah in Dubai. Al Dhafrah, Al Shaab and Sharjah Club ended with six points apiece at the end of three rounds of the play-off competition, but Sharjah missed out on the basis of their 0-1 loss to their neighbours last week as per competition rules. In the Dubai match, both Sharjah and Emirates Club started on a nervous note and it was the side from Ras Al Khaimah holding sway with some quick one-touch play. Emirates Club was the first to have a clear look at the Sharjah goal as early as the fifth minute when Hassan Mahtouk’s free kick hit the crossbar and went out of play. Sharjah nearly went clear in the 12th minute when a fine cross from the right from Badr Abdul Rahman found Brazilian striker Marcelinho but seasoned goalkeeper Moataz Abdullah saved from close range. Six minutes later the Brazilian came close again when he was put through cleanly by the experienced Saleem Khamis. Finally, it was Emirates skipper Adaf Saif who broke the deadlock when he jabbed home a fine lay by German Herrera. However, the Emirates Club joy was short-lived as Badr Abdul Rahman restored parity on the half hour with a weak free kick that went off the wall and plonked itself past an unsighted Moataz Abdullah. After the first half stayed with the teams tied 1-1, it was Sharjah who took the lead in the 48th minute when Marcelinho outjumped his marker and headed home for what proved to be the match-winner. Friday night’s third round of matches brought an end to the four-team competition that will now see Al Dhafrah and Al Shaab compete in the elite 14-team etisalat Pro League that is scheduled to get under way on September 23. From GN