Al Wahda victorious over Al Karamah with late goal

Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda beat Al Karamah of Syria with a single late on Saturday night to reach the second round of the preliminary qualifications of the AFC Champions League to face Indian club Churchill Brothers on Saturday.

Al Wahda faced Al Karamah in front of more than 40,000 enthusiastic fans and in cold weather but they overcame all these hurdles and a fighting Syrian team to reach the second round.

Mahmoud Khamis, the left wingback, scored the all important goal in the 71st minute following a long pass from Magrao, the Brazilian playmaker, to seal the result and promote his team to host Churchill Brothers next Saturday in a crucial match that leads the winner directly to the AFC group stage where, Al Ahli, Al Jazira and Al Ain will also feature this season.The match, as expected, was competitive, fast and exciting. Both teams know each other well as they have met four times before in the AFC Champions League. Al Karamah won both matches at home and Al Wahda likewise won the return legs in Abu Dhabi. It was the first time that Al Wahda won against Syria and one of the rare incidents in which Al Karamah lost a match at home.