Sport | Football
Al Wahda gun for win but know fate hinges on result in Syria
Al Wahda will be hoping that fate is smiling on them as they head into their last group clash in the Asian Champions League.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:15 May 21, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Al Wahda (left) need to win their Group C match against Al Sadd and hope Al Karama slip up at home if they are to have a chance of going through to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League.
Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda will be hoping that fate is smiling on them as they head into their last group clash in the Asian Champions League.
The club need to beat hosts Al Sadd of Qatar in Group C and hope for a slip-up by leaders Al Karama of Syria at home against Saudi club Al Ahli for a place in the last eight of the continent's premier club championship.
With both matches being played at the same time, the large band of Al Wahda and UAE football fans will no doubt be switching channels between the two matches being played in Doha and Homs while also keeping track of the crucial Al Jazira-Al Shabab First Division clash.
Missing star
Al Wahda, who will be missing their star striker Mohammad Al Shehhi through injury and young defender Hamdan Al Kamali, have lately seen an upswing in fortune and have the firepower to overcome the Qatar club.
Semifinalists last year in, Al Wahda will have to take full points and then hope for a miracle in the Syrian town of Homs as Al Karama have been virtually unbeatable at home.
The Syrians, runners-up in 2006 and looking to book their third consecutive berth in the knockout, need only a draw to go through. It was the same result they needed when they lost by a late goal to Al Wahda - a result that kept alive hope for the Abu Dhabi club.
But according to the AFC website, Karama coach Mohammad Kwid seems to have adopted a cautious approach for the clash.
"We are playing against a team who have nothing to lose," he said.
"They will want to achieve a good result after a bad season and we must be aware of their threat and not give them any chances to take control of the game.
"It would be devastating for us if we failed to qualify after having several chances. However, I'm confident that the players will be able to win and celebrate at home in front of our fans."
While Al Ahli coach Yusouf Anbar was quoted as saying: "Al Karama have good motivation and that could help them to win the match. However, the game is also important for us because we represent Saudi Arabia and we will try to play a good match."
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