Al Wahda crowned champions

(PA) Saturday 8 May 2010

Fernando Baiano's hat-trick helped Al Wahda clinch the UAE League title with one game to spare as they secured a 3-0 win against Al Sharjah on Friday. Their 18th victory of the season leaves them five points ahead of closest rivals Al Jazira, who triumphed 2-1 over Ajman, heading into the final round of fixtures.

Baiano gave Al Wahda the lead just after the half-hour mark and doubled his tally four minutes after the break. The Brazilian striker completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute to ensure his side secured their fourth UAE League title.

Al Jazira knew they had to win to keep their slim hopes alive and they got off to a poor start when Ahmad Khamis put Ajman in front in the 18th minute. But Sultan Barghash levelled from the spot in the 76th minute and seconds later Ivory Coast striker Nantcho Anthony scored the winner for Al Jazira.

Al Ain remain in third place following their 3-1 win against Bani Yas. Al Ain took the lead after five minutes through Abdulaziz Fayez and Abdullah Mallallah doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, seconds before Bani Yas were reduced to ten men when Saad Mubarak was sent off.

Argentinean striker Jose Sand scored his side's third 10 minutes after the break. Senegalese forward Andre Senghor netted a consolation for Bani Yas with 15 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Al Wasl climbed to fifth place with 28 points after a thrilling 5-4 win against Emirates. Moroccan striker Sufian Al Aloudi put Al Wasl in front on 17 minutes but Emirates levelled the scores through Iranian striker Reza Enayati nine minutes later and took the lead four minutes from the break thanks to Nabil Daoudi, who doubled his tally three minutes later.

However, there was still time in the first half for Saeed Al Kas to reduce the deficit for Al Wasl and they were back on level terms five minutes after the restart thanks to Al Aloudi. Enayati restored Emirates' lead second later but Al Aloudi completed his hat-trick from the spot on the hour mark and Al Kas bagged the winner nine minutes later.

Al Ahli suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Al Shabab who climbed to ninth place in the standings. Chilean striker Carlos Villanueva gave Al Shabab the lead on eight minutes and Brazilian forward Carlos Renato doubled their tally 10 minutes into the second half.

Faisal Khalil pulled a goal back for Al Ahli on 64 minutes just six minutes before Renato secured Al Shabab's victory. Finally, Al Nasr came back from three goals down to snatch a point against Al Dhafra.

Al Dhafra opened the scoring on six minutes through Nigerian striker Abas Mowiwa Lawal and Mohamad Salem doubled their advantage in the 20th minute before Algerian striker Toufik Zrarah made it 3-0 from the spot 10 minutes from the break.

Al Nasr came back in the second period and they pulled a goal back six minutes after the restart through Mahmoud Hasan before Kadhem Ali reduced the deficit further just three minutes later Ecuadorian striker Carlos Tenorio secured a share of the spoils