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Lima's brace gives Al Wasl first win

If this was perhaps the end, it was the perfect way to sign off. Fabio de Lima's future at the Zabeel Stadium may be up in the air but the young Brazilian conjured another sterling performance to give Al Wasl their first win in the Arabian Gulf League this season.
The 24-year-old fired a brace as The Cheetahs came back from a goal in deficit to stub Emirates' challenge 3-1 at the Zabeel Stadium on Thursday night.
Fabio de Lima had hinted earlier in the week that this could probably be his last game with The Cheetahs.
Clubs have shown interest in Fabio de Lima and a move is a possibility as the UAE transfer window is yet to close. Al Wasl have put a whopping Dh 100 million price on their prized asset.
Nonetheless, Fabio de Lima showed why he is their main man. After Emirates had taken a shock lead through Sebastian Saez on 12 minutes, Fabio de Lima unleashed a sharp left-footer from long range to help The Cheetahs draw level. There were no extravagant celebrations though, just a hug to Abdalla  Al Naqbi, who had set it up.
 Caio Canedo headed Al Wasl into the lead on 54 minutes after which de Lima put the game to bed on 73 minutes.
Al Wasl, who were involved in a 2-2 draw with Al Ain on opening day, moved to second in the table with four points. Emirates, meanwhile, are eighth.
It was the visitors who hit their strides early and were up and running on 12 minutes. Ahmed Malalla relayed a neat ball from the right and Sebastian Saez drew stand-in goalkeeper Sultan Al Manthari out before slipping it past the shot stopper, from close range.
But the lead was short-lived as Al Wasl hit back through de Lima. Abdalla Al Naqbi pinched the ball from a defender and passed to de Lima. The distance was huge but it didn't matter as the Brazilian let loose his left-footer, and although a diving Ali Saqr got a touch to it, the ball won in the end.
Al Wasl came close to taking the lead a little later as Lima danced down the right and into the area. But the box was packed with defenders and although he tried to find a way through, the ball ricocheted off a defender and went for a corner.
Another opportunity was thwarted when de Lima couldn't make the rebound count after Caio Canedo's pile driver was palmed away by Ali Saqr.
The lead did arrive with Caio Canedo timing his jump perfectly to head home Ronaldo Mendes' inch perfect cross from the left.
Mendes then made a fine assist for de Lima to head home, as Al Wasl took full points at home.
james@khaleejtimes.com