Al Wahda failed to make ground on the top three in the UAE Pro League on Friday night as they were held to 1-1 draw at home by Al Wasl.
Fahad Hadeed gave the visitors a 12th-minute lead when he swooped to head Emiliano Alfaro’s cross past Adel Mohamed.
The hosts had started brightly and were level before half-time as Marcelinho poked home from Mahmoud Khamis’ centre.
Both teams had chances to win it – with Saeed Al Kathiri squandering an open goal – but neither could find the illusive third goal as Wahda were held at home for the first time in the Pro League this season.
Wasl had enjoyed a thrilling 3-2 victory in the capital at Al Jazira last Friday but began on the back foot here as Saeed Al Kathiri and Marcelinho both threatened for Wahda in the opening 10 minutes.
UAE striker Al Kathiri went closest as he was denied by a fine save from Ahmed Mahmoud having been played in by his Brazilian striker partner.
The visitors had not been in the game as an attacking force up until that point but were soon in the lead as Alfaro found room for a cross which was headed home by Hadeed.
Al Kathiri then struck the woodwork with a cross intended for Marcelinho before Ismail Matar forced Mahmoud into another smart stop. But as half-time approached it was Wasl that looked more likely to get the game’s second goal.
Achille Emana was booked for hurdling Wahda keeper Adel Mohamed in his attempt to win a penalty before his smart through ball released Jussie into the hosts’ penalty area only for the Brazilian to fire straight at Mohamed.
And having almost been two goals to the good, Wasl were undone as Marcelinho got between Saoud Saeed and Yaser Salem to steer Mahmoud Khamis’ cross into the net.
Emana had a great chance to restore Wasl’s lead early in the second half but sliced wide of the near post from six yards. But after Marcelinho had looped a header onto the roof of the goal Al Kathiri had two golden opportunities to get a potentially decisive third goal.
First the UAE striker volleyed Mohamed Al Shehhi’s deep cross back out of the area, before he produced one of the misses of the season.
Substitute Papa Waigo cushioned a cross into the path of Matar who volleyed back across goal, leaving Mahmoud stranded, only to see Al Kathiri divert the ball wide of the far post.
The game was now becoming stretched and Alfaro saw a goalbound effort deflected behind by a desperate block from Dino Djulbic before Srdan Andric strode forward and smacked a stinging drive against the angle of post and bar.
Neither side could find the winner though and Wahda were forced to settle for their first home league draw of the season when Waigo volleyed wide in injury time.
TALKING POINTS
Misfiring Al Kathiri
The 25-year-old started the season in the goals, and in the national team. But he has since seen his form disappear and has not found the net for club or country in his last 14 appearances. Here he squandered several presentable opportunities – not least an open goal – that would have given his side a precious three points in their fight for AFC Champions League football next year.
MAN OF THE MATCH – Srdan Andric (Al Wahda)
The Croatian was a doubt before kick-off but turned in a performance full of drive that almost led his side to the win. His showing was epitomised by a thunderous drive that cannoned against the angle of post and bar.
KEY CONCLUSION
Wasl continue to improve under Eid Baroot but for Wahda they will know they must be more clinical in front of goal with important league and President’s Cup games to come.
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
