Abdullah justifies faith with vital late winner

Young midfielder Khalifa Abdullah justified the faith new coach Khalifa Mubarak showed in him as he led Al Wasl to victory at Al Ittihad in the UAE Pro-League yesterday. Abdullah scored the winner with a long range shot only three minutes from time to seal the 3-2 win and finish off the home team, who twice came from behind in their quest to survive in the top division. Meanwhile, a lacklustre Shabab Club missed out on their chance to pressurise second-placed Bani Yas following a poor 1-1 home draw to Sharjah in a match the visitors should have won. Al Wasl, under caretaker coach Mubarak, took control of the first half and took the lead in the 30th minute when Yeste sent a corner short to Darwish Ahmad who crossed for Rashid Eissa to head home. But the home team came strong after the break and their captain Gregory led a fast counter-attacking move in the 48th minute. He crossed from the left flank, picking out Soud Faraj, who scored the equaliser. Alexander Oliveira scored the second for the guests in the 60th minute following a perfect cross from Darwish. Al Ittihad were awarded a penalty when Mohammad Al Shaiba fouled Kanoo in the 71st minute and Ebrahim Abdullah converted, but Abdullah had the final say.