Arabian Gulf League (AGL): Bani Yas Cruises Past Al Wasl 4-1 to Start New Season in the Emirates

posted on: Oct 29, 2020

By David DeMaria/Contributing Writer Arab America

On Friday night in Dubai, Bani Yas took on Al Wasl on the first match day of the new season of the Arabian Gulf League, the premier football (soccer) league in the United Arab Emirates.

Brazilian forward Joao Pedro opened the scoring account for Bani Yas with a goal in the 27^th minute.

Bani Yas would add two more goals in the first half, the first coming in the 38^th minute from Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gimenez, the second in the 41^st minute from midfielder Suhail Al-Noubi.

Al Wasl got on the board with a goal in the 71^st minute with a goal from Fabio Lima, cutting the Bani yas advantage to 3-1.

But Bani Yas was not done with the scoring, as Tanzanian forward John Tibar added a late-game goal in the 90^th minute, sending his club to a 4-1 victory.

In other action around the league, Al Wahda toppled Hatta 6-0, Al Dhafra beat out Ajman 4-1, and Sharjah doubled up on Fujairah 4-2.

In Saturday’s matches Shabab Al Ahli Dubai travels to Kalba and Al Ain hosts Khor Fakkan in the two early matches, while Al Nasr hosts Al Jazira in a late night clash at Al Maktoum stadium in Dubai.

Tragedy struck the league on Thursday when Sultan Saif, a former player for both Bani Yas and Al Wahda, died in a car crash along with his wife and son, after crashing into a truck in Abu Dhabi.