Al Wahda set for big battle

After the most difficult part and the euphoria over the success, it gets even tougher. Al Wahda got through the first hurdle against Hekari United in some style.

By James Jose

Published: Sat 11 Dec 2010, 1:05 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 3:56 AM

But bigger battles lay in wait.

The four-time UAE Pro-League champions dished out a near perfect show against Oceania champions Hekari United, winning 3-0 in the opening fixture of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday night.

But they need to keep their foot on the gas when they face AFC Champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the quarter-final at the Zayed Sports City on Saturday night.

The job is only half done and Wahda coach Josef Hickersberger said as much after the win against Hekari United, the first time that an UAE club has won a game in the FIFA Club World Cup. The 3-0 win equals the biggest margin of victory recorded by an Asian team in the Club World Cup. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors had beaten Auckland City FC by the same margin in 2006. The UAE representative last year Dubai-based Al Ahli failed to come with a good showing, going down to amateur side Auckland City FC.

“It is a big task ahead and it starts right now. I told the players to go to the hotel, eat and sleep and be up for training the next day. Recovery is very important. We have to study Seongnam Ilhwa. We have some information about them, their strengths and weaknesses. And we will show this material to the players,” Hickersberger said.

Wahda were nervy to start with but hit their strides soon enough. Wahda’s strike force of Fernando Baiano and Hugo had the Hekari defence on tenterhooks but it was the midfield which was exceptional. The hard-working Fahed Masoud kept at it which paved the way for such a showing. Ismail Matar too was impressive and so was the defence, marshalled by captain Haider Alo Ali and assisted by UAE Under-20 captain Hamdan Al Kamali. Goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani too impressed under the bar.

But Wahda need to guard against complacency and a win against the Korean club will reward them with a showdown against UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan in the semifinal.

“The first match in a competition is always difficult no matter who the opposition is. I’m sure the players will be a bit nervous in the second game too but not like the first one. We are playing a much stronger team in the second game. We have a lot of respect for them and we have to play much better than what we did on Wednesday. It would be something really special if we win that and meet Inter Milan in the semifinal,” said Hickersberger.

Meanwhile, Seongnam Ilhwa coach Shin Tae-yong said they were looking forward to the challenge. “Al Wahda played very well the other night. They have quite a few players who are talented,” Shin Tae-yong said after the team training session on Friday.

Shin Tae-yong was particularly impressed by forward Ismail Matar and midfielder Mahmoud Al Hammadi. “Ismail Matar and Mahmoud Al Hammadi are very dangerous and we need to be wary of them,” he said.

Seongnam Ilhwa captain Sasa Ognenovski said it would be great if they could beat Al Wahda and set up a match-up against Inter Milan. “Though our season has ended, the team is fit and in shape and strong. It would be great if we beat Al Wahda and meet the world’s best side Inter Milan in the semifinal,” said the Australian.