10-man Al Wasl go down in first match

Al Wasl lost their first match in the 21st GCC clubs' soccer tournament in Kuwait when they were defeated 3-0 by Al Ruffa of Bahrain on Saturday.

Al Wasl played with 10 men for 66 minutes after referee showed red card to defender Esmail Rashid in the 24th minute for his second bookable offence.

Hussain Ali Baba opened the score for Al Ruffa in the 34th minute following a powerful free kick from 25 metres. The Bahraini team dominated the match most of the time with Al Wasl who played with three strikers: Iranian Farhad Majidi, Brazilian Alexander and Bahraini Hussain Salman failing to break through the strong Bahraini defence led by Abdullah Al Marzouqi.

Salman Eissa translated the Al Ruffa dominance into two more goals in the second session (78th and 90th minutes).

In the first match played earlier, Al Ittifaq of Saudi Arabia and Muscat club drew 2-2. The Saudi led 2-0 at the beginning through Hussain Al Najaai (2nd minute) and Saleh Bashir (30th).

Badr Al Mahrouqi reduced the deficit in the 35th minute from the spot and Frendo scored the equaliser in the last minute of the first half.

Al Qadsiya of Kuwait, the hosts, beat Um Salal of Qatar 3-1 in the opening match. Al Wasl play their second match today against Um Salal while Al Qadsiya meet Al Ittifaq.