Clarets talisman Sebastian Tagliabue netted a hat-trick but the game hinged on a controversial decision by referee Sultan Abdurazzaq not to award the Blue Wave a clear penalty just past the hour mark after Rim Chang-woo handled in the box.
It was obvious to the Nasr bench, who had seen their side equalise six minutes earlier. Six minute after Abdurazzaq’s decision the game was over as two goals in three minutes from the hosts killed the game off and ramped up the pressure on coach Ivan Jovanovic, while easing concerns over Aguirre’s future in the capital.
“I’m happy for the fans because they deserve the first win of the season at home,” said the Mexican, who knew the scoreline flattered his side.
“In the score it was 5-1 but it was not that easy, there was not much between the sides and we were 1-1 until 25 minutes to go. It was a tough game.”
The former Atletico Madrid coach was happy with a result that eased the tension after a 2-1 defeat to Al Wasl the previous week.
“The defeat to Al Wasl was terrible,” he added. “We had more than 20 shots, 10 corner kicks and crossed the ball 15 times. Today the difference was we were really accurate. Five good balls and five goals, three points. Sometimes we are good in front of goal and sometimes we miss. Today we were played a good offensive game.”
Under fire counterpart Jovanovic, meanwhile, apologised for the margin of defeat.
“I want to say sorry for our fans for this result,” said the Serbian. “We had a good 10 minutes after the equaliser and an opportunity to score another which could have changed the game. But that didn’t happen and then Wahda scored twice within two minutes that put my players under pressure.
“It was very disappointing result. We are in a difficult position and now we want to see how best we can come out of this situation.”
One goal would have been appreciated by those inside Al Nahyan Stadium after a dire first half, although it was perhaps unsurprising the opening 45 minutes was so dull considering both sides have mustered just two wins from eight games between them prior to kick-off
Neither side seemed willing to overcommit to attacking, for fear they might leave themselves exposed at the back.
A turgid opening half was forgotten less than four minutes into the second period when the hosts broke the deadlock through a familiar hero. Tagliabue was released by right-back Mohammed Al Menhali’s inch-perfect throughball and he kept his cool to clip high into the net beyond Abdullah Mohammed.
The Argentine – last season’s AGL top scorer – should have made it two when Suhail Al Mansoori’s lofted ball found him in space. He rounded Mohammed but his tame shot strike Khalifa Mubarak’s heel.
The visitors made Wahda pay two minutes later when Iraqi striker Mohannad Abdulraheem netted his first goal since arriving from Al Zawra’a, rising to nod Fawaz Awana’s pin-pont cross beyond Ali Al Hosani.
The came the key moment. South Korea international Rim ushered the ball out for a corner with his arm but the official was unmoved.
Abdulraheem had a second goal rightly ruled out for offside but Wahda restored their lead when Tagliabue glanced in Balasz Dzsudzsak’s cross.
Three minutes later the Hungarian, who’s had a tough start to life in the Emirates, slid in to net from left-back Ahmed Rashid’s cross.
It was his second goal in two games and his relief was obvious as he high-fived every single member of the home bench.
Al Hosani palmed away Abdelaziz Barrada’s fine effort before Wahda sealed the win in style.
Reigning AGL Young Player of the Year Mohamed Al Akbari collected Tagliabue’s flick-on before powering down the line and delivering a brilliant cross for the Argentine to head home his hat-trick goal.
The youngster completed a fine cameo when he raced onto Jorge Valdivia’s pass and fired beyond Mohammed to make it a mauling.
