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Al Wahda defeat Al Nasr 2-1 to retain top position

 

Al Wahda came from behind when they were one goal down to score a brace to finish their Etisalat Cup sixth round encounter with a 2-1 over Al Nasr at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The winners tied their grip on Group "A" to stay on top place with 13 points while the losers are in third position with 5 points.

The two teams played a competitive game as both trying to keep their hopes alive to proceed forward and qualify to the semifinals especially the visiting team who started the match taking third position in Group "A" with five points.

They made some good efforts and created a series of scoring chances but all their work was in vain. The first real opportunity was squandered by Al Wahda's Brazilian striker Marcelinho who failed to head the ball home in the 22nd minute when he was only two meters away from the goal. The unmarked Marcelinho came again to lose a similar sitter from the same position in the 35th minute. Al Wahda gave their rivals hard time and were able to reach the box many times but they lost all the chances they have created and the last one in the first session was squandered by Mohammed Al Shehhy whose attempt missed the target and passed away only inches near the post.

The match referee Sultan Al Marzoqui awarded Al Nasr a penalty kick 8 minutes into the second half when Adil Abdullah touched the ball with his hand inside the six yard area. Leonardo Lima made no mistake when he converted the ball into the right hand corner.

Al Wahda exerted more efforts looking for the equalizer but things became difficult for them when their Croatian defender Sardan was shown the red card in the 61st minute for the hosts to play the last

30 minutes with one man less. But despite of this situation, they leveled the game through Papa Waigo who was sent free with only the goalkeeper to beat. He sent the ball home making it 1-1 in the 73rd minute and the Brazilian front liner Marcelinho netted the winner two minutes later. Both Hilal Saeed of Al Nasr and Adil Abdullah of Al Wahda were given marching orders due to bad conduct along with Al Wahda's coach Braco Evancovic.

The two teams went on their attempts in the remaining minutes but they couldn't add more goals till the end of the match.