Caio sizzles as Al Wasl clinch Bur Dubai derby in Arabian Gulf Cup

Caio Canedo scored the winner as Al Wasl thumped Al Nasr in the Bur Dubai derby to secure a semifinal spot in the Arabian Gulf Cup at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Stadium in Al Awir on Friday.

It was an exciting high-tempo match where keepers and defenders were tested thoroughly as attacks came from all corners. The first-leg 2-2 draw added pressure on players to find an early goal.

In the first half, Al Wasl's Ronaldo Mendes and Caio gave jitters to Al Nasr goalkeeper. Al Nasr's Rashed Mohammed threatened from left flank.

Teams played with attacking intent and fought hard to gain possession.

After a barren first-half, the deadlock was finally broken in 48 minutes.

Al Nasr's Ali Hussain was down following a tackle and the defenders were caught unawares as Caio slipped through their radar to convert from a superb cross into the box from Mendes.

Fabio de Lima, rested for the encounter, celebrated from the stands.

The goal added urgency to Al Nasr's proceedings. Marcelo Da Silva came close to finding an equaliser and Mahmoud Khamees rallied behind his team. The 'Blue Wave' pushed hard but couldn't hunt down the 'Cheetahs'.

Meanwhile, Dibba again tamed Al Jazira in the second leg to book a spot against Shabab Al Ahli in the semifinals.

On December 30, Dibba had thrashed Al Jazira 3-1. And on Thursday night, coach Henk ten Cate's boys not only failed to overturn the deficit but lost the match 1-0 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

The only goal of the match came in eight minutes through Dibba's Yaseen Al Bakhit. The Jordanian winger found his way past an advancing keeper Ali Khaseif but had his delivery blocked by defender Musallem Fayez.

Al Bakhit, however, coolly placed the rebound into the far left post.

Al Jazira came close to scoring on occasions and threw in Romarinho and Yaqoub Al Hosani in the second half but to no avail.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com