Dubai: Al Wasl coach Gabriel Calderon was denied victory in his first home game in charge of the Cheetahs on Thursday, when the Arabian Gulf League strugglers fell to a 2-1 defeat to his old side Bani Yas at Zabeel Stadium.

Joan Verdu put the visitors in front from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark, but Al Wasl’s Caio headed an equaliser before the interval. However, Bandar Al Ahbabi followed up on a spilled free-kick to hand the Sky Blues their second win of the season.

Both sides had entered the game in the bottom half of the table on just six points apiece. There was reason to hope for Calderon, however, who had replaced sacked Brazilian coach Jorginho last week, after he drew his first game in charge away to league leaders Al Wahda.

But Bani Yas had also turned around an equally poor start to the season with a 2-0 victory at home to Al Shabab at the weekend, and they continued their resurgence with a follow-up win here.

Al Wasl’s Thamer Mohammad did well to clear Angel Dealbert’s early effort off the line, but he turned villain on the half hour when he was ruled to have handled inside the area. Verdu then put Bani Yas in front from the resulting penalty, when he chipped the ball over Al Wasl goalkeeper Esmail Rabea.

The Cheetahs struggled to get back in the game, with Ederson’s arched free-kick that sailed just wide of the post and Saeed Al Kathiri’s off-target shot having been through on goal their best efforts.

Bani Yas were just as wasteful, with Verdu’s effort curling around the post and Yousuf Jaber’s header glancing wide from Verdu’s free-kick.

Al Wasl finally made their chances count with an equaliser deep into first half stoppage-time, when Caio headed the ball in from Salem Abdullah’s corner.

Al Kathiri could have put the home side ahead straight after the break, when Bani Yas goalkeeper Mohsen Al Hashmi spilled Alves’ shot back into his path for a goalmouth scramble. Bani Yas’ defence recovered in time, only to spill a second chance back into Caio’s path, before the third effort was cleared in the ensuing melee.

Bani Yas’ urgency increased after that scare, when Dealbert struck over and Verdu forced a save, before later also having a headed goal from a cross ruled offside, sparking protests from the bench.

Jaber was then lucky to clear a cross at the front post before Caio could get a foot to it, as Al Wasl retaliated on the counter.

But the visitors struck the winner with five minutes to spare, when Rabea couldn’t hold on to Verdu’s free-kick and Al Ahbabi effortlessly netted.

In Thursday’s other early game, league leaders Al Wahda were held to a 3-3 draw away to Ajman.