It had all the ingredients of a classic derby – a fervent atmosphere, great goals, contentious refereeing and late drama.
Fabio De Lima’s sixth goal in nine games sealed Bur Dubai bragging rights for Al Wasl but Al Nasr will feel hard done by after seeing an early second-half penalty awarded and then bizarrely taken away by referee Abdulla Al Ajel.
Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic felt the big occasion got to Al Ajel.
“The official who said it wasn’t a penalty made the decision from 50 metres away,” said the Serbian. “I have never seen anything like this in football before. Of course in football mistakes happen but someone has to explain to us why this happened.”
Victorious Wasl coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena said mistakes were a part of the game.
“I think the decisions were normal decisions,” said the Argentine. “This happens in all parts of the world, when referees make mistakes against your team you say something, if he makes it against the other team you don’t say anything. For me and the Al Nasr coach these things are normal.”
Before all that superb strikes from first Caio Canedo and Abdelaziz Berrada had lit up an otherwise disappointing opening period.
The hosts took the lead with the first piece of real quality as De Lima controlled a long ball sublimely, showing strength to hold off a defender, before teeing up compatriot Canedo who bent a brilliant first time effort past Ahmed Shambieh.
The goal sparked the game and Nasr into life. Jires Kembo-Ekoko and Salem Saleh combined to feed Barrada who brought a fine stop out of Rashed Ali.
The classy Moroccan was not to be denied though and brought the Blue Wave level on the stroke of half-time.
Waheed Ismail hauled down Saleh on the edge of the box and Barrada whipped a fine effort past Ali at his near post.
Anger turned to rage in stoppage time when Al Ajel failed to award a spot kick to the home side after Mahmoud Khamis handled.
It was unintentional, but Cheetahs fans felt cheated – Al Ajel was given an armed escort off the field at the interval.
The second-half rested on another decision Al Ajel awarded – and then reversed.
He pointed defiantly to the spot when Kembo Ekoko’s flick struck right-back Khalid Sabeal’s arm. Following consultation with his linesman, however, who was patrolling the touchline next to the Wasl bench, Al Ajel instead gave a drop ball.
Salt was rubbed into the wounds 10 minutes from time when Sabeal played a part in De Lima’s winner. The lively Brazlilian sold an outrageous dummy to Khalifa Mubarak before scuffing his effort past Shambieh at his near post.
Derby delight for Wasl. Derby despair for Nasr.