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Al Ahli ride last-gasp strike
The battle between the two former champions Al Wahda and Al Ahli ended in dramatic style when the hosts, who threatened to score for most of the match, were stunned by an injury-time goal from substitute Ahmad Khaleel.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:20 February 13, 2008
Abu Dhabi: The battle between the two former champions Al Wahda and Al Ahli ended in dramatic style when the hosts, who threatened to score for most of the match, were stunned by an injury-time goal from substitute Ahmad Khaleel.
The win gave Al Ahli three points and boosted their tally to 17 from 11 matches while Al Wahda remain on 13 - facing a huge task in the second phase.
Though Al Wahda dominated and looked like scoring any moment, Al Ahli were also in with their quota of chances, but the goal did shock the home supporters as their first phase campaign ended on a damp note.
Al Wahda's Brazilian striker Josiel Da Rocha could not cap his hard work with a strike on target and twice failed to connect crosses from close range. Esmail Mattar was also also out of sorts when he shot over from close range.
Mahmoud Khamis also failed when he shot over after beating a defender.
Receiving a pass from a quickly-taken free-kick, Khaleel, who replaced UAE striker Faisal Khalil, fired home from about 35 yards, giving no chance to Ali Rabea under the Al Wahda post.
Rabea was lucky not to concede any goals earlier in the game when the post came twice to his rescue. Medawi was the unlucky striker on both occasions when in the first half, his shot bounced back off the left post and in the second half, he again shot into the right post with Ali well beaten.
Al Ahli's win gets them back within striking distance of the top thee teams while Al Wahda were left licking their wounds.
Mattar, Mohammad Al Shehhi and skipper Haider Alo Ali all looked a bit jaded, perhaps their national team duties taking it's toll while their Brazilian duo of Rosiel and Binga may need more time to gel together.
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