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Al Wahda hold hosts Al Ahli to a 2-2 draw

 

Abu Dhabi-based Al Wahda held hosts Al Ahli to a 2-2 draw in their Etisalat Pro League sixth round match played at Rashid Stadium in Al Ahli Club in Dubai. The visitors Al Wahda raised their balance to 9 points, the same that of Al Shabab, taking 6th position while the hosts team Al Ahli are still far behind in 10th place with only four points from 6 games.

Both teams failed to create dangerous attacks in the opening minutes of the game as most of their work was concentrated on the midfield zone. They played a balanced game which was marred by continues and quick forays, but unfortunately the strikers could not find the target. It was Omer Amer who put the visiting team Al Wahda into the lead with an early goal scored in the 26th minute. Salim Saleh collected the ball inside the six yard area before sending a strong shot which was cleared by the goalkeeper Yousuf Abdullah for Amer Omer to return it into the empty net scoring the first goal of the match.

 Al Ahli started to search for the equalizer with attempts from both flanks and their efforts yielded the equalizer through Graffiti who headed home the dead ball sent by Ahmed Medhad in the 33rd minute. Jaja of Al Ahli added the second goal with a long-range strong left-footer that went straight into the left hand side of Al Wahda goal keeper Motaz Abdullah one minute into the additional time to end the first half with a 2-1 lead for the home team Al Ahli.  

Al Wahda players went all out looking for the draw after the break, but they were totally depressed after their first choice striker Ismail Matter was shown the red card due to the second yellow card nine minutes into the second session. Al Ahli were to add to Al Wahda owes, but Ismail Al Hamadi's shot was saved by goalie Motaz Abdullah in the 57th minute followed by another shot by Graffiti that rebounded off the upright.  

Essa Abdullah leveled the result with a rocket-like shot from outside the box to beat Al Ahli goalkeeper making it 2-2 in the 73rd minute. The home team's Spanish coach Quique pulled off Jaja and fielded in Juma'a Sangoor and Hecksberger coach of Al Wahda brought in Khalid Jalal to replace Amer Omer in the 80th minute. The two squads made some good efforts in the last ten minutes but failed to add more goals.