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Al Wahda triumph

ABU DHABI - The numbers were more telling. It was number four for Al Wahda and an embarrassing three for Al Jazira.

Al Wahda laid their hands on a fourth piece of silverware in the Etisalat UAE Pro-League with a convincing 3-0 win away at Sharjah, while Jazira’s search for that elusive title diminished for a third time, despite them winning 2-1 against relegated Ajman at home at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night.

It was the fourth crown for Al Wahda after winning it in the 1998-1999, 2000-2001, 2004-2005 seasons. Al Jazira were unlucky for a third year on the trot.

Al Wahda also qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi in December.

Ironically, it was the man who paraded his wares for Al Jazira last season, who brought about their downfall. Brazilian Fernando Baiano, who moved from Al Jazira to arch-rivals Al Wahda this season, scored a hat-trick in the 32^nd, 48^th and 78^th minutes.

Ironically again for Al Jazira, it was the same team which had derailed their title hopes midway through the season, who turned out to be their bogey again. Jazira had lost just one game all season until now but the five draws, one of them against Ajman in the away game, proved costly in the final analysis.

Sultan Bargash converted a penalty in the 76^th minute and Tony scored the match-winner in the very next minute for Al Jazira, after Ali Khameis had put Ajman ahead in the 19^th minute.

The first half was mainly confined to midfield and Al Jazira lacked bite in the absence of captain and inspirational playmaker Ibrahim Diaky, who didn’t feature in the line-up because of an injury. Ajman capitalised on a defence which always looked shaky and went ahead in the 19^th minute through Ali Khameis. Kenith got a nice ball in from the middle and got closer to goal and teed it up for an unmarked Ali Khameis, who kept a cool head to slot it home.

Jazira had their best opportunity to draw level via a penalty in the 22^nd minute but they muffed it up. Subait Khater was fouled by Kenith inside the box and referee Mohammed Abdul Kareem pointed to the spot. Tony took the spot kick but the Ajman goalkeeper Mohammed Hussein dived to his left to keep it out.

Jazira had another chance in the 35^th minute but Ali Mabkout kept the ball for too long and delayed in taking the shot and the defence made the clearance. It could have been disastrous for Jazira with two minutes to go for half-time as Ajman almost got a second. Mohammed Abdul Qader made his way in and fired a dangerous shot from close but goalkeeper Ali Khaseif made a wonderful save.

Jazira coach Abel Braga made a string of substitutions in the second half, bringing in Rafael Sobis for Hilal Saeed, Ahmed Dada for Saleh Bashir and Abdulla Qasem for Ali Mabkout.

Jazira put up a fight in the closing stages of the game, rallying from a goal down to score two in quick succession. Sultan Bargash converted a penalty in the 76^th minute and Tony scored the match-winner in the very next minute.


james@khaleejtimes.com