Al Wasl returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as they claimed a commanding 5-2 victory over Khorfakkan in a seven-goal thriller at Zabeel Stadium matchweek 4 of the ADNOC Pro League on Friday.
The hosts produced an immediate response to their first defeat of the season against Shabab Al Ahli in matchweek 3, while Khorfakkan were unable to build on their first victory of the campaign after losing their opening two matches.
Al Wasl made the breakthrough in the 17th minute. Nicolas Gimenez curled a superb free-kick towards goal, which Ahmed Alhosani managed to keep out, but Siaka Sidibe reacted quickest to the loose ball and poked home the rebound.
Six minutes later, Al Wasl doubled their advantage. Sergio Pereira produced a clever run down the left, beating two defenders before cutting inside and drawing a challenge from Kayque Campos, leaving the referee with little hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Gimenez stepped up and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty into the bottom-right corner, beyond Alhosani's outstretched hand, to put Al Wasl firmly in control.
Khorfakkan responded six minutes after the restart with an impressive attacking move. Aylton Filipe collected possession outside the area and dribbled past two defenders before squaring for Junior Flemmings, who applied a clinical finish to reduce the deficit.
Al Wasl restored their two-goal cushion just after the hour mark. Pedro Malheiro unleashed a powerful strike that proved too hard for Alhosani to handle, with the ball finding its way beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Khorfakkan were handed a golden opportunity to work their way back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute, but Dinko Horkas stood firm to deny the spot-kick and preserve Al Wasl's two-goal advantage.
That save proved significant, with Al Wasl extending their lead nine minutes later. Pereira delivered an inviting corner into the penalty area, where an unmarked Soufiane Bouftini rose highest and powered a header towards goal. His effort took a slight deflection off Akram Nakach, wrong-footing Alhosani and finding the net for 4-1.
Flemmings refused to give up and grabbed his second of the night in the 88th minute, timing his run perfectly before heading Selim Amallah's cross to reduce the deficit once more.
However, Al Wasl had the final say in the second minute of stoppage time. Malheiro split the Khorfakkan defence with a perfectly weighted through-ball, allowing Renato Junior to beat the offside trap, race through on goal and calmly finish to complete a convincing 5-2 victory.
The result moves Al Wasl up to fourth place with nine points, keeping them firmly among the early frontrunners, while Khorfakkan remain 10th with three points from their opening four matches.
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