Al Wahda defeat Shaab to finish AGL runners-up

Martyn Thomas 20:48 11/05/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Prolific: Tagliabue (l) scored twice to take his AGL tally to 28 for the season.

    Al Wahda secured second place in the Arabian Gulf League, and qualification for the 2015 AFC Champions League, with a comfortable 3-1 win at Al Shaab.

    The visitors started the game in third following neighbours’ Al Jazira’s win over Sharjah on Saturday night but Jose Peseiro’s side showed little sign of nerves as they continued their fine run-in.

    Sebastian Tagliabue struck a goal in either half, the second from the penalty spot, to take his season’s tally to 28 in the league.

    But the Argentine was unable to complete the hat-trick that would have taken him level with Asamoah Gyan at the top of the scoring charts as he squandered a couple of late chances.

    Countryman Damian Diaz scored Wahda’s other goal as he fired home in first-half stoppage time.

    The hosts, already relegated from the top flight, rallied after half-time and grabbed a late consolation through Ali Yaqoub.

    Victory ensured Wahda finish the season on a 10-game unbeaten run in the league that has seen them take 26 points from a possible 30.

    Their reward should be a return to the Asian Champions League for the first time since 2011, although they must wait until November to find out officially whether that will be in the group stage or through the play-offs.

    Assured of a top three finish before kick-off thanks to earlier results in the final round, Wahda dominated from the off at the Khaled bin Mohammed Stadium and could have taken the lead before Tagliabue got his first in the 14th minute.

    Emirati Player of the Year nominee Eisa Santo linked well with Mohamed Al Shehhi down the right, before the right-back’s cross-cum-shot fell into the path of the Argentine who stabbed home.

    Diaz and Ismail Matar both forced Obaid Al Taweela into fine stops before the break, but the veteran keeper could nothing in first-half stoppage time as Al Shehhi set up Diaz who doubled his side’s lead.

    Michael N’dri had the chance to pull a goal back early in the second period but it proved a false dawn as former Al Ahli and Bani Yas keeper Al Taweela hacked down Tagliabue in the area.

    The Argentine striker dusted himself down to notch his 28th league goal in just 25 games. However the 29th of a highly productive debut campaign would not come as the striker saw a header flash wide, a penalty appeal turned down and in injury-time, a volley slice wide with the goal gaping.

    By then, Yaqoub had got his side on the scoresheet but it wasn’t enough to derail Wahda’s end of season juggernaut.

    Recommended