Al Wahda survived the first half sending off of talisman Sebastian Tagliabue to inflict a first defeat on Group B leaders Al Shabab and keep alive their own chances of making the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-finals.
Tagliabue scored the game’s only goal after 34 minutes before seeing red in first half stoppage time, as his team-mates displayed tremendous determination to keep the previously unbeaten Hawks from breaching their goal in the second half of Monday night’s victory.
Victory halted last year’s semi-finalists Shabab’s three-match AG Cup win streak.
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They offered little in the opening period and were not cute enough to break down stubborn home resistance after they were handed the initiative following Tagliabue’s exit.
The prolific forward netted his 14th goal of the season, the Argentine in the right place to turn in youngster Khalid Bawazir’s cross.
The 30-year-old quickly went from saint to sinner though when he was dismissed on the stroke of half-time for collecting a second yellow card.
His initial booking for a wild lunge was deserved, his second extremely harsh after there appeared to be little contact between him and Marwan Mohammad.
The win had been no less than Javier Aguirre’s side deserved.
My enduring love for Sebastian Tagliabue grows more and more….despite a red card for Al Wahda tonight in the Arabian Gulf Cup!
— Matt Jones (@MattJones360) November 9, 2015
Mohamed Saif’s volley had cannoned off a post, the lively Tagliabue’s snatch shot deflected off Essa Mohammed onto a post, while young gun Bawazir pulled the trigger from 20 yards but saw his shot arrow narrowly wide.
The hosts were happy to sit back and soak up pressure in the second half, which although substantial, led to few chances.
The closest Shabab came was when Ahmed Ali’s dangerous low cross was brilliantly intercepted by Hussain Fadel, the 31-year-old’s intervention crucial as former Manchester City and Everton man Jo would have otherwise had a tap-in.
Al Hosani’s instinctive reaction save kept out Mohammed Ayed’s flick six minutes from time, although the linesman’s flag was raised in any case.
The remaining minutes were seen through without much drama, the win propelling the Clarets into the reckoning for the semi-finals and suddenly making their four straight draws previously in the competition an enviable record.
