Al Wasl 2 Al Shabab 1
Al Wasl Alfaro 20', 89'
Al Shabab Bruno 40'
DUBAI // Having stretched his Al Wasl record to three Pro League victories from six matches, the latest a 2-1 Pro League win against Al Shabab on Saturday, Eid Baroot seemed the surprised recipient of a permanent contract.
The Emirati, who replaced Guy Lacombe in February and supposedly until the end of the season as a caretaker coach, was concluding his post-match news conference when a journalist informed him of an unlikely reward.
Apparently, a Wasl board member had just confirmed the news in a television interview at Zabeel Stadium: Baroot had improved the team enough to earn an extended deal, although the details remain undetermined.
“I’m very happy to hear about it,” said Baroot, almost with a disbelieving shrug.
“I’m very pleased with the news, although nothing has come to me officially. I’ve been in talks with the management but, again, right now nothing is official. But I’m very happy here.”
Given the manner in which the preceding match had played out, the victory would have come as a bit of a shock, too. Wasl were largely outplayed by an energetic Shabab and were fortunate to reach half time level.
On 20 minutes and against the run of play, Emiliano Alfaro gave the hosts the lead, yet Edgar Bruno restored parity as the interval approached, the Brazilian heading in off the crossbar.
The second half was a more balanced affair, at least until the last minute when Alfaro headed home a most improbable winner. It extended the Uruguayan’s league tally to 16, further embellishing his debut season in UAE football.
“Emiliano is one of the top goalscorers in the league, this is for sure,” Baroot said.
“In the last three matches he did not score, but today he took his opportunities to show how he is the difference maker.
“I am very happy for him. He’s in Uruguayan national team squad, he’s only 24 and has a very good future.”
As does Baroot, despite Wasl’s new permanent manager knowing little about it.
Man of the match Emiliano Alfaro (Al Wasl)
– John McAuley (jmcauley@thenational.ae )
Ajman 3 Baniyas 3
Ajman Sy 53', 58', Kabi 63'
Baniyas Wilhelmsson 9', K Mubarak 54', N Mubarak 90'
Red cards Thamer Mohammed (Baniyas)
Nawaf Mubarak scored a stunning goal from 25 yards in the fifth minute of time added on to rescue a point for Baniyas against Ajman.
The clock was well past the three extra minutes signalled by the referee when Mubarak struck his second of the game.
Christian Wilhelmsson opened the scoring for Baniyas, before four goals in 10 second-half minutes saw Ajman lead 3-2 until the dying seconds.
Man of the match Nawaf Mubarak (Baniyas)
Follow us
[ @SprtNationalUAE ]
