Ajman end Wahda’s dream
abu dhabi — Al Wahda’s dream of winning the Arabian Gulf League title got shattered on Saturday. It was a double blow as Al Ain thrashed Al Nasr to seal the title and Ajman beat Al Wahda 3-2 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.
In a high voltage match, Ajman fired the first salvo. In 11 minutes, midfielder Bakare Kone took the corner and Modibo Maiga sneaked in a sharp header past Al Wahda keeper Mohammed Al Shamsi. Maiga managed to score despite seven Al Wahda players being stationed in the goal area.
Early setback did wake up the home side. Al Wahda’s top gun Sebastian Tagliabue came close with a header. An equaliser finally came as Tagliabue made light work of a pinpoint cross from Rim Changwoo. The Argentinian had scored his 20th goal with a fine header but there was no celebration and instead he walked away with swagger. Al Wahda meant business and took the lead in 36 minutes. Balazs Dzsudzsak passed the corner to Mohamed Al Menhali, who curled a cross into the box for an unsuspecting Salem Sultan to head past keeper Abdulla Sultan.
A confident Al Wahda finished the half at 2-1. However, during the 15-minute break Al Wahda players must have learnt about Al Ain being 2-0 up against Al Nasr. They realised their championship hunt was over.
And just five minutes into the second half, Ajman levelled. Midfielder Mohammed Hilal directed a lovely lob into the box and striker Adeilson De Mello placed it to the left corner of the goal.
Al Wahda defence was in shatters and players disheartened. Taking advantage of the gloomy mood in Al Wahda camp, Ajman hit again. It was a measured pass from Uzbek midfielder Azizbek Haydarov to Mohammed Hilal, who tapped it for an unmarked Maiga to convert with ease.
The goal piled more misery on Al Wahda and players pushed forward in search of an equaliser. However, in 89 minutes Ajman could have scored one more but Adeilson failed to find a way past the keeper.
Al Wahda sit second-best with 43 points, seven point away from champions Al Ain. The Clarets play Al Jazira in the last round match.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com