Dhafra edge past Wahda
abu dhabi — Suhail Al Mansoori scored a brace against his former club as bottom-dwellers Al Dhafra stunned Al Wahda 4-2 at Baniyas Stadium in round six match of the Arabian Gulf League on Saturday evening.
The first goal in the sixth minute set the tone of the match. Al Dhafra winger Khalid Bawazir, inside the box, scooped out measured pass past defender Hamdan Al Kamali and Al Mansoori connected with a timely leap to head home the opener. The former Al Wahda player didn’t celebrate after the wonderful effort.
After another six minutes, Brazilian duo of Romulo and Diego Rigonato combined to double the score. Romulo drew Al Wahda defence out and passed onto an unmarked Diego, who darted the ball through the legs of keeper Mohamed Al Shamsi.
Al Wahda immediately responded with Nasir Abdlehadi scoring a scorcher but it was disallowed. Fifa World Cup referee Mohammad Hassan checked a foul through VAR and found Al Wahda midfielder Sautan Alghafri had brought down Romulo in run-up to the goal.
In 23 minutes, Al Wahda made it a three-goal advantage as Al Mansoori scored through a solo run after the centre.
Al Wahda kept pushing and skipper Sebastian Tagliabue, uncharacteristically, missed from close range. Al Wahda’s perseverance paid off as Mourad Batna converted through a sharp delivery from Khaled Ebraheim. Al Wahda could have doubled before half time but Leonardo failed with his finishing touch.
Al Wahda’s misery aggravated after break following Al Kamali’s own goal. Al Wahda players and bench fumed as Al Dhafra fiercely defended the 4-1 advantage till 90 minutes. However, in 92 minutes Tagliabue pulled one back but the effort was too late. Al Wahda coach Laurentiu Reghecampf was sent off capping a sorry outing for the side.
The victory, only their second in the League season, saw ‘The Western Knights’ rocket from bottom of the table to tenth spot. Al Wahda now lost two out of three matches at Baniyas Stadium. ‘The Clarets’ maintain third spot in the table and could lose the place depending on Al Jazira-Al Ain result.