Michel Araujo's first-half goal was the difference as Al Wasl secured an important home win over Al Dhafra in matchweek 23 of the ADNOC Pro League at Zabeel Stadium on Wednesday.
Only two minutes before the break, the hosts opened the scoring when Gilberto Oliveira met Ali Saleh's cross with a powerful header from inside the penalty area, but it was saved by the goalkeeper, before Michel Araujo pounced on the rebound to bury it into the back of the net.
The visitors have kept searching for an equaliser as Issam El Adoua fired a powerful header in the injury time of the first half, but was denied by Al Wasl goalkeeper.
In the 63rd minute, the hosts were close to doubling their lead when Aleksandar Vasiljevic planted a header from inside the box but the ball hit the post and went wide off the target.
Al Dhafra had to finish the game with ten men as defender Mohamed Youssef was sent off in the 71st minute, receiving a straight red card after pulling down Araujo who was through on goal.
The result means Al Wasl sit seventh with 32 points, while Al Dhafra remained in 12th place with 18 points.
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