DUBAI (Interstat) — Al Ahli SC used a goal and an assist from Trincao to defeat home side Al Wasl 3-1 on Monday in the competition. The visiting team scored three goals total, while Al Wasl scored one. Ibanez gave Al Ahli SC the lead in the 20th minute. Al Wasl answered through Pedro Malheiro in first-half stoppage time. Trincao restored Al Ahli SC’s advantage in the 58th minute. Firas Al Birakan then added the final goal in second-half stoppage time, closing out the win for Al Ahli SC.

Al Ahli SC controlled stretches of the match, but Al Wasl remained within reach until the closing moments. The first half featured an early Al Ahli SC goal and a late Al Wasl response, sending the teams into halftime level. After Trincao’s second-half goal, Al Wasl made several changes to chase another equalizer. Al Ahli SC also adjusted its lineup and eventually found the third goal through Al Birakan in stoppage time. The late goal ended Al Wasl’s hopes of taking a point from the home match.

The victory moved Al Ahli SC to 1-0 in this competition and 2-0 across all competitions. Al Wasl fell to 0-1 in this competition and 6-2-1 across all competitions. Al Ahli SC entered after a 4-0 win at Al Fateh in its previous match, a game in which Trincao scored twice over 85 minutes. Al Wasl had built strong form before Monday, carrying a 6-2-1 overall record into the match. Al Wasl had scored at least two goals in seven of its previous eight matches.

Al Wasl’s previous results this season included a 2-1 win at Khorfakkan, a 4-0 win over Ittihad Kalba, a 3-2 win over Al Ain, a 2-2 draw at Al Ain, a 5-2 win over KhorFakkan S&CC, a 1-0 loss to Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, a 3-0 win at Kalba SCC and a 5-1 win over United. Those results came before the home side met Al Ahli SC. Al Ahli SC’s only listed previous result this season was its 4-0 win at Al Fateh.

Trincao was the top star for Al Ahli SC, finishing with one goal and one assist. Pedro Malheiro scored for Al Wasl and was among its most influential players. Ibanez scored for Al Ahli SC. Firas Al Birakan scored in a 31-minute appearance. Merih Demiral provided an assist for Al Ahli SC. Adryelson recorded an assist and a yellow card in 46 minutes for Al Wasl.

Yellow cards went to Al Wasl’s Adryelson in the 40th minute, Al Ahli SC’s Diaby I. in the 83rd minute and Al Wasl’s Puertas C. in the 90th minute. Al Ahli SC made substitutions involving Al Johani Z. in the 46th minute, Toney I. in the 59th, Spertsyan E. in the 68th and Abu Al Shamat S. in the 75th. Al Wasl substituted Adryelson in the 46th, Sidibe S. and Palacios Alzate B. in the 59th, Gimenez N. in the 68th and Taremi M. in the 79th. Adryelson’s early booking did not prevent him from recording an assist shortly before halftime, but he was withdrawn at the break.

Al Ahli SC is next scheduled to face Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. Al Wasl’s upcoming Arabian Gulf League schedule includes a trip to Baniyas, home matches against Al Dhafra SCC, Hatta, Sharjah W and Al Nasr, and away matches at Al Jazira, Al Wahda and Ajman Club.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Al Wasl 2, Al Ahli SC 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Al Wasl with an 89.4 percent probability to win.