(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Al Ain scored a late winner to thump Al Wahda in the round seven of the Arabian Gulf League played in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
Al Nahyan Stadium was packed to capacity for the much-awaited Capital derby and the match lived up to its billing as the players gave every sinew of their body.
Right from the start, there was extra focus on the likes of Omar Abdulrahman, Caio, Sebastian Tagliabue, Balazs Dzsudzsak. There were series of attack and defenders were kept on their toes. It was riveting stuff in the first half as time and again Omar was checked inside Al Wahda box. Tough tackles and sliding challenges made strikers' frustration rise. Despite the all-out attack, the deadlock couldn't be broken in the first 45 minutes. The second half was an extension of the first as more chances were created and missed.
With some 25 minutes left, a limping Omar was replaced with Ibrahim Diaky. The match seemed to be heading for an inevitable draw but then from nowhere a goal came. When the defenders were tasked with marking the star players, a lesser known Mohamed Ahmed converted from a solo run. He stole a pass from Dzsudzsak and advanced switching from right to left cutting across defenders to score a stunner. Al Wahda were silenced but Al Ain fans were up.
Minutes later Al Wahda could have equalised. However, an alert Khalid Eisa and the woodwork denied Al Wahda the opportunity. The home team kept the pressure but somehow couldn't find an equaliser. And five minutes of added time didn't helped 'Clarets' as Al Ain took three points.
In the other match played in the Capital, Al Dhafra and Ajman settled for a goalless draw at Hamdan bin Zayed Stadium. Both teams had chances but couldn't find the target to finish with seven points.
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