Saeed gives Al Wahda full points

Friday, Apr 13, 2007

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Basheer Saeed headed home Al Wahda's winner in the 74th minute against Iraqi champions Al Zawra to virtually assure the Abu Dhabi club of a berth in the last eight of the AFC Champions League.

Playing in Doha, Al Wahda eked out a 2-1 win over Al Zawra to finish with a perfect record of three wins.

Though they have three matches to go in the four-team home-and-away format, Al Wahda now need only to win their next home game against the Iraqi team to qualify from Group A for the knock-out quarterfinals.

Abdul Rahim Juma opened the scoring for Al Wahda when he put home a good cross from Fahad Masaoud in the 13th minute.

Al Zawra, who were unbeaten before Wednesday's game with four points, equalised soon after the break through Ahmad Abid Ali.

Despite missing the services of Esmail Mattar, Al Wahda came back to clinch full points when Basheer Saeed headed his second goal of the Asian event off a free-kick taken by Talal Abdullah.

Al Zawra pressed hard but Moroccan Nadir Lamyaghri was once again outstanding in goal with some superb saves late in the game.

The chances of Qatar's Al Rayyan and Kuwait's Al Arabi diminished after they shared points in the other match of Group A.

"We came here for three points and we have them. We may not have been very impressive but finally it was the three points that mattered," Fahad Masaoud told Gulf News yesterday.

"We will now have to forget the AFC Championship and start preparing for Sunday's Derby with Al Ain," said the Al Wahda star.

Richard Tardi's men now embark on one of their most crucial weeks in the UAE First Division League.

Just a point behind leaders Al Wasl with a match in hand, Al Wahda meet Al Ain on Sunday in Al Ain and then clash with Al Wasl at home on April 19.

Al Zawra pressed hard but Moroccan Nadir Lamyaghri was once again outstanding in goal with some superb saves late in the game...