Football: Salhi's stoppage time goal helps Dhafra deny Wasl second spot

Dubai - The 29-year-old Moroccan tucked in a low cross from fellow substitute Hamad Alahbabi, as the Western Knights pulled off a 1-1 draw against The Cheetahs

Substitute Yassine Salhi struck in stoppage time as Al Dhafra denied Al Wasl second spot in the Arabian Gulf League table by forcing a stalemate.
The 29-year-old Moroccan, on loan from Raja Casablanca, tucked in a low cross from fellow substitute Hamad Alahbabi, as the Western Knights pulled off a 1-1 draw against The Cheetahs at the Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in the Western region.
The deadlock meant Al Wasl missed a great opportunity to displace Al Ain and go second on the table. Al Ain had leaked points yet again after suffering their first defeat to Emirates on Thursday evening. League leaders Al Jazira are on 35 points after walloping Al Wahda, while Al Ain are on 31 points. Al Wasl are a point behind on 30.
"It was not a very good match for most of the people watching. We didn't play a good match. We had the advantage but we couldn't finish it off. They didn't have that many chances as we controlled the game but they scored with that opportunity that they got at the end," Al Wasl coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said after the game.
"We have made some mistakes and the team has to collectively work hard. We have to start working again as our next match is against Al Nasr and we also have several matches left to play. We know our objectives," the Argentine added.
Elsewhere, the other early game between Hatta and Al Sharjah too ended in a stalemate, with the fixture ending goalless, at the Hatta Stadium.
Al Wasl had a chance early on but Ronaldo Mendes headed wide of the post after Khalil KHamis had darted down the left and floated in a fine cross. Later, Fabio de Lima's grounder lacked bite and it was the easiest of collections for shot stopper Zayed Ahmed Hammadi.
Al Dhafra had a look in on 28 minutes but Omani youngster Khalid Khalifa Al Hajri's header at the far post was saved by goalkeeper Humaid Abdulla Ali.
Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo came close for Al Wasl but while Lima flashed it wide from the right, Zayed Ahmed Hammadi punched the corner away to safety before Canedo could get a header in.
Al Dhafra still had a try with five minutes left in the half but former Al Wahda man Adil Hermach's attempt was deflected away for a corner. Al Wasl finally broke the deadlock on 79 minutes through Fabio de Lima, who stole the ball from Abdulrahman Yousaf and fired it home from the right. With that, he swelled his tally on top of the goalscorers' list to 18.
Al Dhafra were denied the equaliser with four minutes left as Adil Hermach's left-footer crashed into the right post. But they did get it though with Yassine being at the right place and at the right time, in the first of three minutes of stoppage time.
james@khaleejtimes.com