Al Wahda fight back to win in seven-goal thriller

Abu Dhabi: Al Dhafra and Al Wahda posted contrasting victories in the President's Cup Football Championship first round.

Al Dhafra had it easy with a 4-0 win over Al Dhaid at the Al Nahyan Stadium while Al Wahda, last year's AFC Champions League semifinalists and one of the giants of UAE football, survived a potential upset against Hatta in a dramatic encounter on Thursday night.

Two goals each from Mohammad Salem (41st & 89th) and Hassan Suhail (65th & 67th) helped Al Dhafra outclass Al Dhaid in their first round encounter.

In two other matches played yesterday, Al Ain trounced Dibba Al Fujairah 8-0 while Emirates beat Al Orooba 3-1.

In a seven goal thriller, which saw the match go to extra-time, Al Wahda fought back after being a goal down twice in the 120-minute encounter on Thursday night.

Match winner

Abdul Rahim Juma finally clinched the match with the winner in the second half of extra-time.

Hatta, who were in the top flight last season and had registered wins against then League and President's Cup winners Al Wasl and also against Al Shabab who went on to win last year's league title, once again put up a stubborn display against Al Wahda.

After a barren first half four goals in the last 17 minutes set the game alight.

Saeed Mubarak Saqr struck in the 73rd minute for Hatta but UAE striker Mohammad Al Shahhi, who came on as a substitute in the second half. equalised for Al Wahda in the 80th minute.

The mercurial Esmail Mattar then gave Al Wahda coach Ahmad Abdulhaleem some relief when he put his team ahead four minutes later.

But Saqr equalised and took the match to extra time.

Defensive errors cost Al Wahda dearly when they lost 3-2 to Al Shaab in the League last week and their woes continued on Thursday night.

Hatta's Brazilian striker Leonardo put the First Division side ahead in the 101st minute.

Al Wahda's own Brazilian striker Andre Luciano Silva gave the favourites a lifeline when he headed home to make it 3-3 two minutes later.

And later in the second half of injury time, Abdul Rahim Juma kept his cool inside the box to score a classy winner, which should silence the critics of coach Abdulhaleem for the time being.

In Thursday's other matches, Dibba Al Hisn defeated Dubai 3-1 in extra time while Al Wasl cruised to a 3-0 win over Al Hamriya.