Abu Dhabi: League leaders Al Wahda twice rallied from behind to split the points with a spirited Al Wasl in a 2-2 draw in the Arabian Gulf League at the Al Nahyan Stadium late on Saturday.
Brazilians Ederson and Caio were on target for Al Wasl, who were under new coach Gabriel Calderon’s stewardship for the first time, while Sebastian Tagliabue and Amer Omer replied for Al Wahda.
Al Wahda, having remained unbeaten in the league so far this season, continue at the top of the standings with 14 points from a possible 18.
In the eighth minute, Omer missed a golden opportunity to put the hosts in the lead as his left-footed effort lacked the power to beat Al Wasl keeper Ismail Rabee.
Five minutes later, a pin-point cross from the left flank by Badr Al Harthi was followed with a header from Tagliabue, but the ball bounced in front of Rabee and then hit the post.
In the 18th minute, Omer again fluffed an opportunity to put his side in the lead after failing to connect from just metres away from the goalline.
Al Wasl then managed to get the breakthrough against the run of play in the 24th minute. Fabio de Lima, latching on to a long ball from the right flank, beat a defender before finding Alves lurking on the edge of the are. He slotted home first-time.
In the 33rd minute, an Al Harthi cross from the left was en route towards Tagliabue. However, defender Abdullah Malalla stopped Tagliabue’s surge by pulling his shirt from behind and referee Omar Mohammad Al Ali pointed to the spot. Tagliabue made no mistake from the penalty kick.
Al Wasl goalkeeper Rabee then weathered several anxious moments before the sides went into the break tied 1-1.
After the change of ends, a diving header from Al Wahda’s Mohammad Al Shehhi from an Abdullah Al Nobi corner found the frame of the goal.
Al Wasl once again managed to restore their lead in the 69th minute. Caio, taking advantage of a through ball from deep, brushed aside the challenge of Al Nobi and dribbled past onrushing keeper Adel Al Hosani before finding the goal with a clinical strike.
It was a welcome sight to see Al Wahda’s veteran UAE striker Esmail Matar take the field in the 72nd minute for his first match of the league season following a long injury lay-off.
Matar’s presence immediately inspired the hosts to once again script a comeback and they were back on level terms in the 82nd minute. Omer, who came close to scoring on several occasions before, finally got his name on the scoresheet with a power-packed volley from a cross from Tagliabue.
Al Wasl then had all their players defending towards the end to return with a well deserved draw.
