Muharraq rub salt into Al Wasl wounds

Dubai: Al Muharraq coach Eisa Sadoon accused Al Wasl of complacency after Diego Maradona’s side squandered their two-goal first leg lead to lose the GCC Champions League final 5-4 in sudden death on Sunday despite being one up on spot-kicks.

Alluding to comments made in the press by Al Wasl’s management, players and board members after their 3-1 win in the first leg of the final in Bahrain last Tuesday, Sadoon said: “Some factors definitely went our way. Al Wasl losing a player after nine minutes had an effect. They tried to come back but our second goal caused them to lose focus. They went down another and it was difficult for them to return.

“But another factor may have been the early celebrations after the first leg. Al Wasl players, management and fans felt they had already sealed the championship and that may have had a negative effect on the players.”

Delighted with his side’s completion of a cup double this season, having also lifted the King’s Cup over Al Riffa in April, Sadoon added: “Al Wasl had the better chance to take control having won the first leg 3-1 but we stopped the danger of their foreigners Donda and Olivera. Majid Nasser’s red [card] gave us a major boost and we were able to score two very important goals in the second half before a second red. Al Wasl was very tired and going down to nine men in this heat must have been tough. We needed luck in the penalties and luck was on our side.”

Sadoon added: “We were only playing to within 20 per cent of our capabilities in the first leg. But in the second leg we gave a truer account of ourselves. We showed we are a very capable side and this comeback win is a major boost to Bahraini football.”