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Al Wahda secure dramatic victory
A last-minute header by Angolan international Norberto Mauro Maurito gave Al Wahda a crucial 3-2 win over Al Ain in the leadership rights of the Etisalat football league.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 April 17, 2007
- rank Oliver (centre) of Al Ain runs past Yasir Abdullah (left) and Haider Alo Ali (second left) of Al Wahda during their league match at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Sunday. Al Wahda won the match 3-2.
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: A last-minute header by Angolan international Norberto Mauro Maurito gave Al Wahda a crucial 3-2 win over Al Ain in the Abu Dhabi derby and leadership rights of the 12-team Etisalat First Division football league.
The traditional rivalry between the two teams was channelised into a high quality encounter at the Khalifa Stadium in Al Ain and the 90-minute clash had its fair share of drama both on and off the field.
With Sunday's win, Al Wahda replace Al Wasl as leaders with 33 points from 16 matches, two ahead of the Dubai side ahead of their key clash on Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
Maurito made a late entry with Al Wahda leading 2-1 and did not look fully fit but he struck when it mattered most.
Twice Al Wahda took the lead and Al Ain equalised twice - the second equaliser coming with just two minutes left for the final whistle.
But title-contenders Al Wahda hit back from the restart and Maurito headed home in the final minute to not only earn full points for his team but also a yellow card for climbing up the stands to hug team manager Abdullah Saleh and coach Richard Tardi — both ejected earlier in the match.
Both teams, representatives of the UAE clubs at the AFC Champions League were fresh from their respective victories on Wednesday but the derby clash was an energy-sapping encounter. It also meant that Walter Zenga and his boys in purple of Al Ain Club may have to finish without a trophy this season – almost the first time it will happen so in ten years.
Esmail Matar was more a play-maker than striker on Sunday and after Bagayoko had headed wide early in the game, the French striker found his powerful drive rebound off Al Ain keeper Moataz Abdullah.
But Haider Allo Ali was on hand to give Al Wahda the lead. Al Ain's equaliser provided much drama after veteran keeper Shaiban Saleh of Al Wahda brought down Ali Al Wehaibi inside the box.
Iraqi international Hawar Mohammad Mulla's shot was saved by Saleh but referee Ali Hamad ordered a retake. Vehement protest by the Al Wahda bench resulted in both Tardi and Saleh being ejected and Frank Ongfieng converted the retake minutes before the break for a 1-1 score. Al Wahda's goal came under intense pressure. Esmail Matar quickly crossed into the box and Mohammad Saeed Al Shehi timed his run to perfection to tap home for a 2-1 lead in the 67th minute.
Hawar headed home as the rivals were looking for a non-existent offside. But the Al Ain joy lasted just a minute when Maurito nodded Al Wahda to the top of the table in the final minute.
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