Al Wahda enter group stage of Asian Champions League
abu dhabi — Al Wahda steamrolled Al Wehdat 3-0 to reach the AFC Champions League group stage after a six-year gap at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Tuesday night.
Skipper Ismail Matar was in sublime touch and foreign quartet of Sebastian Tagliabue, Jorge Valdivia, Balazs Dzsudzsak and Rim Chang Woo — together on field after a long time — worked in tandem to pin down the Jordanian side. Argentinian striker Tagliabue struck a brace to drive Al Wahda into the Group D of this competition.
Getting the show going was a goal inside the first minute by the UAE club.
Al Wehdat were caught unawares as nine Jordanian players were present in the danger area when the ‘Clarets’ scored. Defender Rim Chang Woo’s shot on goal made its way through many legs to be deflected by keeper Amer Shafi but it landed right in front of Ahmed Rashed, who blasted it in by the 45th second.
Al Wahda went 2-0 up through a corner from Matar that was directed in by Valdivia to Tagliabue, who powerfully headed in another goal.
In the 28th minute, keeper Amer Safi had to make a topnotch save to keep Chang Woo’s long ranger out.
Al Wehdat, meanwhile, kept pressure through striker Baha Faisal and midfielder Munther Abu Amarah, the latter couldn’t convert a clear chance. And the only time they found the net was through Ahmed Wridat but it was ruled offside.
The last 45 minutes saw end-toend stuff, Al Wahda defence stood strong against a better offensive display from the visitors. And when Jordanian managed to break the defence bulwark, keeper Rashed Ali was up to the task.
Al Wahda were ruthless and it paid as Tagliabue made it 3-0 with a brilliant strike in closing stages. He followed up with another threatening shot and supporters went berserk.
Fan number hit 10,061 but it was of little advantage to Al Wahda as travelling Wehdat faithful matched local crescendo. There was also rare show of Arab spirit as all fans had Mexican wave going.
The return of Valdivia and the perfect synchronisation between midfield and strikers bodes well for Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre. With less than 10 Arabian Gulf League matches remaining, Al Wahda have shown potential to be a menace for many at top.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com