Goals from Cristian Guanca and Soufian Rahimi handed Al Ain a 2-0 home win over Bani Yas in matchweek 16 of the ADNOC Pro League at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Friday.
Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa made a brilliant save to parry Mohamed Hamdin's powerful effort from six yards after just 16 minutes.
The hosts dominated the bulk of possession in the first half, missing several goal-scoring chances.
Laba Kodjo posed the first real threat to the visitors' goal in the 25th minute when Bandra Al Ahbabi teed him up before he beat the goalkeeper, but his effort was cleared by Bani Yas defence.
Ten minutes later, Soufian Rahimi met Al Ahbabi's cross with a low curling effort from the edge of six yards, which went just wide.
The hosts continued to search for their opening goal when Kodjo produced a superb volley from the edge of penalty area that was saved by the goalkeeper.
Two minutes after the restart, Guanca broke the deadlock through a superb scissor kick.
Four minutes from time, Rahimi doubled his side's lead, when Kodjo freed him in the left wing, as he cut inside the penalty area, before firing the ball into the top corner.
Al Ain cemented their position at the top the ADNOC Pro League with 39 points, while Bani Yas' tally froze at 19 points, leaving them at eighth place.
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