Al Wasl cruise past Ajman, Al Bataeh and Khorfakkan share the spoils

Al Wasl delivered a commanding performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Ajman in Matchweek 22 of the Adnoc Pro League on Saturday, controlling the game from start to finish with clinical moments at both ends.

The early exchanges saw Ajman show glimpses of intent, coming closest in the 14th minute when Gjoko Zajkov rose highest to meet a delivery, his powerful header drifting narrowly wide of the target in what proved to be their best chance of the first half.

From there, Al Wasl began to grow into the contest, dictating possession and probing for openings. Their pressure paid off in the 37th minute when Miguel Borja reacted quickest inside the box, stabbing the rebound to break the deadlock and give the visitors a deserved lead.

Ajman thought they had found a way back just before the break, as Guilherme Sucigan finished from close range in stoppage time.

However, celebrations were cut short with the assistant’s flag raised for offside, ensuring Al Wasl carried their advantage into the interval.

After the restart, the game followed a similar pattern, with Al Wasl maintaining control and limiting their opponents to half chances. Their second goal arrived in the 74th minute and showcased their cutting edge on the break.

A swift counter-attack released Ali Saleh, who drove into the box, shifted the ball onto his stronger foot, and coolly slotted past the goalkeeper to double the lead. Momentum firmly with the hosts, they struck again just three minutes later. Brahian Palacios unleashed a fierce effort on goal that proved too difficult to handle for Ali Al Hosani.

Despite getting a hand to it, the goalkeeper could only divert the ball into his own net, sealing a comprehensive victory.

Lithierry Silva pulled one back for Ajman in stoppage time, calmly guiding it into the bottom corner from the spot.

The result sees Al Wasl move up to fourth place with 36 points, continuing their push towards the top end of the table, while Ajman remain eighth on 24 points, left to reflect on missed opportunities in key moments.

In another match, Khorfakkan and Al Bataeh played out a 1-1 draw, with both sides enjoying spells of control in a closely fought encounter at Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi Stadium.

The hosts started with intent and nearly made the perfect breakthrough early on.

In the 14th minute, Pedro Pavlov unleashed a powerful effort from distance that had the goalkeeper beaten, only to see his strike crash against the crossbar in a moment that set the tone for a competitive first half.

Despite that early scare, Al Bataeh settled into the game well, closing down spaces and limiting clear-cut chances. The opening 45 minutes were defined by tight defensive organization and midfield battles, with neither side able to find the cutting edge required to break the deadlock.

The match sprang to life shortly after the restart.

Just two minutes into the second half, Alvaro De Oliveira produced a moment of individual brilliance to give Al Bataeh the lead. Picking up the ball on the right flank, he drove forward with purpose, cut inside onto his stronger foot, and fired a precise effort from a tight angle into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

The goal forced Khorfakkan to respond, and they did so with urgency. Their equaliser arrived just past the hour mark through Aylton Filipe, who timed his run to perfection inside the box. Meeting a beautifully delivered cross from N’Guessan Jean Kouadio, Filipe powered a header beyond the goalkeeper to restore parity and reignite the contest.

With the scores level, the game opened up as both teams searched for a winner. Khorfakkan pushed forward with renewed belief, while Al Bataeh remained dangerous on the break, creating a tense and engaging final phase.

However, despite the late pressure and a handful of promising situations at both ends, neither side could find the decisive moment, and the points were ultimately shared.