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Al Wahda outclass Dibba Al Fujairah to step to sixth position

 

Abu Dhabi-based Al Wahda stepped forward to take sixth position in the Etisalat Pro League standings following their lone-goal victory over hosts Dibba Al Fujairah in the 20th round tie. The winners raised their tally to 31 points, one point ahead of Al Shabab who slipped to seventh place on 30 points while Dibba Al Fujairah who are facing relegation, are still second from the bottom with 11 points.

The two teams started the game played at Al Fujairah Stadium this evening, with great care fearing to concede an early goal that could make things difficult for them. Both demonstrated male performance and despite of making every bit of effort, but they failed to build up scoring chances for more than 20 minutes. The visitors played without their first choice striker Ismaeil Matar and defender Hamdan Al Kamali who were both out of action due to suspension along with Srdan Andric who is suffering an injury. Al Wahda were virtually the better side after dominating the major parts of the first session but could not  find the back of the net. The hosts also made some good efforts but failed to threaten their opponents’ goal as most of their attacks were weak and in lack of concentration. But it was the visiting squad who took the lead in the 24th minute when Dibba’s defender Saeed Mohamed brought down Mohamed Al Shihhy inside the six yard area for the match referee Abdullah Al Ajel to point for a penalty kick. Al Wahda’s defender Mahmoud Khamis stepped forward to convert the ball into the net in a lovely style to make it 1-0 for his team. The home team doubled their efforts trying to bring the game back into parity and their striker Mohamed Malalla came close to make it three minutes later when he launched a strong shot from inside the box for the goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani to control the ball after a double save. Another sitter was squandered by Adel Al Hammadi in the 29th minute who fired a strong shot that saved bravely by the visitors’ keeper. Dibba came close in many occasions to level the score and the last attempt was made through Mohamed Malalla’s close-range severe shot that deflected by the custodian to a corner kick four minutes before the break to send the two teams to the dressing room with the solitary goal win in favor of Al Wahda. 

Both teams continued their performance after the breather with the same ambitions with each side exerting more efforts and making hard work to find the target. They lost gilt-edged chances throughout the entire second half and despite of the substitutions made by the two coaches but the situation remained unchanged till the end of the game for Al Wahda to return back to the capital Abu Dhabi with full points.