Al Wahda move into quarterfinal

Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda clinched a quarterfinal berth in the 2007 AFC Champions League with a 3-0 win over Qatar's Al Rayyan and now turn their focus on the First Division League title.

Playing with most of their second string, Al Wahda outplayed an equally-depleted Al Rayyan side to reach 13 points from five matches and seal a slot despite one round of matches in the four-team group left.

Also making the last eight with one match to spare were Japan's Kawasaki Frontale and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. Four more group winners will be joined by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the 2006 AFC Champions League winners in the knockout quarterfinal stage.

"I am delighted on two fronts. We have reached the last eight with one match to spare. More importantly it was a 'correct' result for us with no injuries and we can now focus on the League title," said Al Wahda coach Richard Tardi.

Angolan international opened with an 8th minute strike while skipper Haider Allo Ali converted a penalty in the 30th minute.

French striker Mamadou Bagayoko made up for his missed chances with a 75th penalty conversion on his return to ACL action.

Al Rayyan, who have just two points, seemed to have come prepared for the outcome and their coach Pierre Lechantre gave credit to Al Wahda's display.

Deserving win

"When they beat us 1-0 at home I had predicted that this is the team which will advance and they have just done that," said Lechantre, whose team travelled to Abu Dhabi without 12 players.

"However I am happy at the way some of my young players performed and we will now get back to concentrate on the Emir Cup," he said.

Al Wahda needed only a draw in Wednesday's match but a group of their young players dished out some classy football and the club management will certainly have been thrilled with the potential talent available.

Without almost five of their regulars missing and Abdullah Al Nooby also hobbling away early in the game, it was their young colts that rose to the occasion.

Mohammad Osman, Eissa Al Marzouqi, Mahmoud Khamis along with Hamdan Al Kamali and Mohammad Al Shehi worked their hearts out in the absence of stars like Esmail Mattar, Fahad Masaoud, Abdul Salam Juma and Abdullah Salem.

"It was one of the aims before the season started and we have reached the second stage. I only hope the players will recover in time for Sunday's league match against Al Ahli," said Tardi, who now has three finals matches in the league.

Al Wahda lead by one point and after playing away to Al Ahli on Sunday, meet Dubai at home on May 17 and finally take on Dubai's Al Nasr away on May 27.

"I also hope some of the injured players recover during the next few days as we enter the most crucial phase," said the Dutchman.