Al Ahli 2 Al Wahda 1
Ahli: Al Hammadi 53’, Khalil 67’
Wahda: Tagliabue 90’
Story of the match
DUBAI // After a run of three Arabian Gulf League matches without a victory, champions Al Ahli are back on track.
Cosmin Olaroiu's men outfought and outlasted a sturdy Al Wahda at the Rashid Stadium on Saturday night, never quite hitting their stride, but never looking in any real danger either.
A lacklustre match was provided its spark not long into the second half – both sides had earlier struck a post – when Ahli captain Ahmed Khalil found Ismail Al Hammadi with an inch-perfect cross and the diminutive winger flicked home the ball. The relief among Ahli’s ranks was palpable.
They could breathe a little easier from the 67th minute, once Khalil turned from provider to goal-getter. The UAE striker raced onto Everton Ribeiro’s through ball, outmuscled Hamdan Al Kamali and drilled his shot low past Ali Al Hosani in the visitors’ net.
Only moments before, Khalil had been booked for simulation when he should really have had a penalty. Chasing a loose ball, he had beaten Al Hosani to it, but the goalkeeper’s trip was missed, somehow. It summed up a perplexing evening all-round for the match officials.
However, Ahli were not made to rue a raft of strange calls, although they will be concerned they conceded to Sebastian Tagliabue in injury time. Even more than that, though, Majed Hassan, the midfielder who only recently returned from a lengthy injury, was withdrawn during the first half with what seemed a recurrence of his knee problem. Thankfully for Ahli, youngster Walid Hussein’s progress continues: again, he was excellent.
Ahli were not that, in fact they were far from their best, but they can content themselves with the fact they are back to winning ways. Their title defence is up and running once more.
Man of the match
Ahmed Khalil: The Al Ahli captain did not do much other than his assist and goal, but it was enough to break the deadlock and seal the points.
What the managers said
Cosmin Olaroiu, Al Ahli: “Unfortunately we are suffering, but the most important thing is we got the three points. Other circumstances happened this week, but the players proved their personality, that they have strong will, that we’re one team, one family. It was important to win this game and I hope to give us the motivation for the next games.”
Javier Aguirre, Al Wahda: ”It was a tough game for both teams, sort of game you cannot make mistakes. But unfortunately we made a big, big mistake and they of course took advantage. Though we kept fighting until the end, which is usual, my team are a bunch of warriors. It’s Al Ahli, no one wins easy here. It’s the champions in their home.”
The National verdict
Ahli eventually did enough to come through the match, but they remain some way from their vintage. For Wahda, they need to offer more going forward.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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