Al Wahda squander chance to lead tournament

Abu Dhabi: The Al Wahda reserve team squandered a golden opportunity to take charge of their friendly tournament after settling for a 1-1 draw with Al Fateh, the reigning Saudi Arabia League champions, late on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Al Shabab, also from Saudi Arabia, beat the Kuwait Olympic team 2-0 to take second place in the standings.

The host team, which featured no foreign or first-team players, dominated the match and could have scored at least two more goals but Mohammad Ahmad Al Qah’tani twice missed easy chances.

Eisa Abdullah put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute with a powerful free-kick from 22 metres.

The Brazilian Alton Jose levelled the scores, though, three minutes into injury time, with a curling lob from outside the box.

The draw meant Al Fateh continue to lead the tournament with four points from two matches and will now face Kuwait in their final match on Friday.

Al Wahda, meanwhile, have only two points and will play against second-placed Al Shabab, also on Friday.

In the other game on Tuesday, Al Shabab defeated the Kuwait Olympic team 2-0 after dominating the second half of the match. Fernando, the Brazilian midfielder, scored from the penalty spot in the 56th minute and Badr Al Sulaitin added the second eight minutes later, leaving his team with three points from two matches, while the Kuwaiti Olympians have only one point.