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Al Wahda in morale-boosting win
Al Wahda beat Al Ahli, from Saudi Arabia, 2-1 in their encounter in the Asian Champions League.
- By Yasir Abbasher, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:45 April 25, 2008
- Al Wahda and Al Ahli Club Saudi Arabia in action during the AFC Champions League match at Al Nahyan Stdaium at Al Wahda Sports Club in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night. Al Wahda won the match 2-1.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda beat Al Ahli, from Saudi Arabia, 2-1 in their encounter in the Asian Champions League, late on Wednesday, using almost their second team to renew their hopes and boost their morale regarding both the domestic and continental football competitions.
"Boosting my players morale was more important than winning the points because the task to reach the second round of the ACL depends upon other teams," Ahmad Abdul Halim, the Al Wahda care taker coach, said after the match.
Al Wahda's hopes of reaching the second round of the ACL depend mainly on winning the remaining two matches to collect 11 points at the same time, Al Karama the Syrian leaders with 10 points, should lose their two encounters, the first of them against Al Wahda at home on May 7.
Al Wahda, on the domestic front, are threatened with relegation as they are placed 10th just one point away the relegation zone which includes Emirates on 14 points and Hatta on 11 points.
Diving header
Brazilian Josiel Darosha, was the hero of the team scoring both goals and leading a team consisting mainly from young inexperienced but highly talented players.
Moroccan custodian, Nader Limyaghri, should have the lion's share of praise for his brilliant form with his great saves that earned Al Wahda their first victory in the ACL this year.
Darosha netted his first goal ten minutes before the break, when his countryman Pinga crossed from the left and Darosha's first attempt with a diving header was blocked by Abdo Saifi, the Saudi custodian, but the rebound came to the Brazilian who sent a fierce left footer which expressed his frustration for the many chances that he squandered and put his team on the right path for the points.
The second half started with the Saudis trying to level the score which forced Abdul Halim to use some of his star players in the last minutes.
He gave the chance to Abdul Rahim Jumaa, then Esmail Mattar and Hayder Allo Ali.
Al Ahli equalised, nine minutes before the end, when Nasir sent a perfect cross to Waleed Al Jizani who headed home.
But the jubilation of the Saudi fans who attended the match was short lived as Australian referee, Mark Shield who officiated last year's final of the Asian Cup, awarded Al Wahda a penalty three minutes later and Darosha converted.
Karama defeated Al Sadd 2-0 to lead Group C with 10 points followed by Al Wahda, 5, Al Sadd from Qatar, 4 and Al Ahli 2.
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