Al Wahda claim top spot
ABU DHABI — Al Wahda, on a winning roll, prevailed over Hatta through a second-half penalty in the Arabian Gulf League match at Hamdan bin Rashid Stadium.
Both the teams came into the match after tasting victories in the previous rounds. And in their bid to keep the winning momentum going, both went for all available three points. There was no lack of intent but at the end, difference in temperament cost relegation battlers Hatta the match against now table toppers Al Wahda.
Right from the start, Hatta defender Ali Darwish Al Khajah lived dangerously with the kind of challenging tackles he made. In 19 and 36 minutes, Al Wahda striker Mourad Batna was clear with ball into the box when he was pinned by Darwish. The physical play flared up proceedings. Al Wahda’s Khaled Ba Wazir too got booked for stamping on Hatta midfielder Adrian Ropotan’s feet. At the end of first-half, Al Wahda had best chance go begging as Al Wahda midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak’s free-kick missed the target.
The tackles, mow downs and missed chances continued in the second half.
In 59 minutes, there was a fine pass into the box by striker Sebastian Tagliabue to Ismail Matar but the veteran was brought down by Darwish. Matar also had a fine effort on goal saved by Hatta keeper Abdullah Al Qumaish. Just as goal weren’t coming, Darwish’s luck ran out as he was found guilty of pinning Batna down by holding onto the jersey. Referee pointed to the spot and Tagliabue slotted the winner into the right post.
Things got worse for Hatta as Fernando Gabriel was shown a second red following a spat with referee over a challenge by Al Wahda’s Ahmed Rashid. Al Wahda could have made a man-advantage count and scored one or two more but Tagliabue and substitute Mohamed Al Shehhi missed their mark.
Al Wahda now sit on top of standings with 36 points and Hatta ninth with 13 points. Things can change for both the teams with second-placed Al Ain (35 points), Dibba (12) and Emirates (11) in action on Thursday.