Essa Ali nets late winner for Al Wasl

Abu Dhabi: Essa Ali snatched a late winner for Diego Maradon’a Al Wasl over 10-man Al Wahda in the Etisalat Cup on Friday night.

Ali’s superb strike with just seconds left helped keep Al Wasl’s hopes of a last four berth alive at the expense of Al Wahda who played the last half an hour with just ten men.

Maradona rested Mariano Donda, Juan Manuel Olivera and Mohammad Reza Khalatbari but found his side trailing by a first header from Brazilian Fernando Baiano.
Baiano headed home a perfect cross buy Mubarak Al Mansouri in the 37th minute and the score stayed that way at the break.

Al Wahda were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when Omar Ali felled Fahad Hadeed just outside the box and the visitors were level a little later. Hamad Al Husani made no mistake with a well-executed move from the right and Al Wasl now sensed a win.

Just when it looked like finishing on level terms, Ali struck with just a few seconds left during injury time.

With the win Al Wasl and Dubai are level on 12 points, Al Ain are on 13 points while Al Jazira lead the group with 19 points. Al Jazira have already booked their last four berth from this group while Al Ain meet Dubai and Al Wasl take on bottom-placed Emirates in the final group matches scheduled for February 23.