Match Report
6 points and 1 places separated them: Esteghlal 2nd with 8, Al Wasl 1st with 14. The last five rounds placed Esteghlal no better than 13th for form, against 2nd in the standings. In league terms the two rates read 1.33/1.67 for Esteghlal and 2.5/1 for Al Wasl (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.43.
Esteghlal were unbeaten in 7, having scored in 7 consecutive games. Al Wasl arrived off five consecutive draws. Esteghlal had banked 13 of the last 15 points on offer; Al Wasl, 5.
On the scoreboard, Esteghlal led 1-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 1-1.