Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda preserved their unbeaten record and stayed top of the Arabian Gulf League on goal difference from Al Shabab after a scrappy 1-1 draw at home to Sharjah on Tuesday.
The away side opened the scoring just after the half-hour through Wanderley’s solo effort, but Sebastian Tagliabue came to the rescue for the hosts after netting after his twice-retaken penalty kick.
Sharjah were the stronger outfit in the early stages and their sprightly attacker, Ahmad Khamis, should have scored after only two minutes.
He broke clear of a decidedly hesitant Al Wahda backline, only to blast his half-volley over the bar from 10 yards.
Al Wahda responded after 12 minutes with their first meaningful effort on goal, a close-range volley from Argentinian striker Tagliabue cleared away from near the goal-line from a right-wing corner from Mohammad Al Shehhi.
Yet despite their growing dominance, the home side were stunned when Wanderley gave Sharjah the lead against the run of play on 32 minutes.
The burly Brazilian striker latched on to a headed knockdown from Yousuf Saeed Juma, weaved his way into the box and evaded some poor tackling from the Al Wahda defenders, before sliding home a calm, right-foot finish into the corner of the net.
Yet Sharjah’s lead did not last long after Tagliabue levelled from the penalty spot six minutes before half-time, albeit at the third attempt, following Mauricio Ramos’ clumsy trip on Salem Saleh.
Tagliabue converted his first effort nonchalantly, but was ordered to retake it by the referee following apparent early encroachment into the box by Sharjah players.
Bizarrely, the same happened again after the Argentine had slid his second effort wide but, at the third time of asking, he rammed home the leveller despite goalkeeper Mohammad Yousuf initially saving his tame strike.
The second half was a disjointed affair, with few clear-cut opportunities for either side.
Yet after 74 minutes, Al Shehhi should have put the home side ahead after a slick move, embellished by a fine, one-touch lay-off from Tagliabue, but fired his right-foot shot narrowly wide.
The Clarets were unable to breach their muscular opponents’ rearguard again, however, much to their feisty coach Jose Peseiro’s frustration.
The Portuguese was ordered to leave his technical area after slamming a water bottle on the ground in anger at his side’s inability to make it four wins out of four.
However, his fury nearly turned to joy in added time when midfielder Adil Hermach unleashed a vicious right-foot shot from 30 yards, which cannoned off the crossbar.
Meanwhile, mid-table Al Dhafra last night sacked boss Anel Karabeg and were set to appoint Romanian Marin Ion.
Arabian Gulf League
Tuesday’s games
Kalba 0 Al Shabab 2
Al Wahda 1 Sharjah 1
Playing later:
Emirates vs Bani Yas
Al Nasr vs Al Wasl
