More cup woes for Wahda as big club tournament looms

Al Wahda's dismal form in the Etisalat Cup continued as Ismail Bangoura's second-half strike handed them a third defeat in four games.

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Al Wahda's dismal form in the Etisalat Cup continued last night as Ismail Bangoura's second-half strike handed them a third defeat in four games.

Carlos Tenorio drew the Wahda defence to him down the left flank before crossing artfully to Bangoura just inside the box.

The forward from Guinea drove the ball home to give Al Nasr a deserved 1-0 victory over the Pro League champions at the Al Maktoum stadium.

Nasr's victory took their tally to seven points with Baniyas but ahead on goal difference in Group A. Wahda remain rooted to the bottom on a solitary point.

It was a disappointing result for Wahda, who were hoping to leave with a victory as they embark today on a week-long camp in Egypt as part of their preparation for the Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi next month.

Wahda fielded a stronger lineup than in their previous cup games, and had included Fernando Baiano, the club's Brazilian top-scorer, and Ismail Matar, the Emirati international, for the first time in the cup competition.They had their chances, too. Hugo, the Brazilian midfielder, had a chance at a goal, as did Matar and Baiano, but Ismail Rabea, the Nasr goalkeeper, turned them all away.

Mutaz Abdulla, the Wahda goalkeeper playing in his second game in the first-team line up since returning from an ankle injury that laid him off for more than a year, made a pair of fine saves to prevent Nasr from taking an early lead.

Elsewhere, Julio Cesar scored as Al Shabab went clear atop Group B after a 1-0 win over Al Ahli at the Rashid stadium.

Dubai surprised Baniyas 2-0 as Abubaker Kamara and Michael N'dri scored for the visitors, who took their tally to five points, two behind Baniyas.