Adnoc Pro League wrap: slick Sharjah, Al Wasl derby delight, and Al Wahda finally off mark

The Adnoc Pro League returned on Saturday following the international break, with a number of high-profile new signings debuting and the Bur Dubai derby. We pick out the highlights from Round 4.

Matchday 4 kicked off on Saturday with slick Sharjah maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season. Cosmin Olaroiu’s side ran out 3-0 winners at home to Khorfakkan, with Caio Lucas opening the scoring with a superb long-range effort, Luan Pereira doubling the lead, and Miralem Pjanic rounding off the result.

In the evening’s other early kick off, struggling Baniyas snatched a much-needed point in front of their own fans, when Sasa Ivkovic’s 94th-minute equaliser sealed a 1-1 draw against Al Jazira. Ali Mabkhout thought he had won it for the 2019/20 champions with a penalty with two minutes to spare. The point was even more impressive for Baniyas: they played 50-plus minutes with 10 men following Gaston Suarez’s straight red card. Jazira dropped points for the first time this season.

In the Match of the Week, Al Wasl earned Bur Dubai bragging rights with an excellent 2-1 win at local rivals Al Nasr. The game had almost everything – goals, goals disallowed, missed penalty and a red card – but the visitors emerged victors thanks to a double from Gabriel De Souza.

His Brazilian compatriot, Gilberto, then saw his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Ahmed Shambieh. Toze pulled one back for Nasr with a sublime free-kick, but it wasn’t enough – despite Wasl being reduced to 10 men when Faris Khalil was sent off with 20 minutes remaining. One bright spot for the hosts, though: marquee new signing Adel Taarabt played 93 minutes on debut.

In Saturday’s other late match, Ajman clinched an impressive 3-1 victory at Dibba Al Fujairah. Isam