Last-minute own goal hurts Dibba Al Fujairah

Dubai - Al Wahda survive a scare; Emirates beat Al Dhafra

A last-minute own goal by Mohammed Osman earned Abu Dhabi giants Al Wahda a crucial 3-3 draw against hosts Dibba Al Fujairah in the eastern coast while Emirates scored in the 81st minute to claim an exciting 4-3 win over Al Dhafra in Ras Al Khaimah in their rescheduled second round clashes of the Arabian Gulf Cup on Monday.
This was the second confrontation between Dibba Al Fujairah and the former champions following their first Arabian Gulf League clash which ended in a stunning 4-0 win for Al Wahda.  
In the first round of the current competition, Dibba were narrowly beaten by Al Shabab 3-2 in Dubai, while Al Wahda were held to a 3-3 draw at home to Fujairah, leaving them with one point in Group B.
"This match was very crucial for our pro-league campaign," said Dibba Al Fujairah striker Ahmed Ebrahim who scored the third goal for the home team.
"There's a great improvement since our opening match in the Arabian Gulf league when we were beaten by the same opponents 4-0. Today we were leading until the last minute but the disappointing defensive mistake happened and we had to settle for a draw," he added.
Al Wahda keeper Adel Al Hosani admitted that they were lucky to salvage a last minute equaliser - even though they played a big game and tried to press their opponents in the concluding stages of the match.
"We are delighted to have it that way and avoid an imminent defeat that could have spoiled everything. We are at the beginning of the season and there's enough time to make things happen as the season progresses," he added. But, when asked about the weak points in the defensive line, Al Hosani said the team will restore its full strength and do better when their international players will return from commitments with the senior football national team.
Bakary Kone drew first blood for Dibba Al Fujairah in the 14th minute and doubled the score-line four minutes later.
A minute before the interval the woodwork prevented Al Wahda from drawing level as Ismail Matar struck the base of Mohamed Saeed's post, and Dibba maintained their slender advantage at half time.
Towards the 71st minute Dibba substitute Ahmed Ibraheim made his mark with a lovely move to increase the advantage to 3-1. But Sebastian Tagliabue cut the deficit for Al Wahda once again with a long-range strike to make it 3-2 in the 82nd minute and Al Wahda levelled the result at 3-3 in the stoppage time as Dibba defender scored an own goal from Tawfeeq Alhosani's cross.
In Ras Al Khaimah, a hat-trick by Wilmer Jordan (1st ,57th and 59th minutes) and a strike from Roderigo Bimpao earned the Emirates a 4-3 win over Al Dhafra. Makhete Diop, Abdul Rahim Jumaa and Khaleel Abudll scored for the visitors in the 26th, 46th and 52nd minutes of the fast-paced clash.
hisham@khaleejtimes.com