Al Wasl see Arabian Gulf League title chances vanish with draw against Kalba

Al Wasl, in yellow, are 10 points behind Arabian Gulf League leaders Al Jazira. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League

Al Wasl 1-1 Kalba

Wasl: Mendes 56'

Kalba: Maiga 57'

Story of the match

DUBAI // Al Wasl’s faint hopes of the Arabian Gulf League title seemingly disappeared into the Dubai night on Friday, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Kalba.

The table’s fourth-placed side had the chance to hurdle both Al Ain and Al Ahli and move into second, but an evening of frustration at the Zabeel Stadium meant they missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on leaders Al Jazira to eight points. With only seven rounds remaining, a first championship since 2007 appears beyond them.

In truth, the match should really have been beyond Kalba by half time. On 15 minutes, top scorer Fabio De Lima missed a penalty — his second in succession — after Ronaldo Mendes had been felled in the Kalba penalty area. The Brazilian, already on 20 league goals this season and thus second only to Jazira’s Ali Mabkhout, fired down the middle, yet goalkeeper Ibrahim Essa blocked with his legs.

To be fair, Wasl should then have gone a goal down. Ciel raced clear of their defence as the clock approached the half-hour but, with only Abdullah Ali to beat, the former Al Ahli winger scuffed his shot horribly wide.

Wasl, though, had more chances before half time to edge in front: Mendes struck the crossbar with a dipping shot from range, while De Lima’s tame effort was directed straight at Essa from six yards out.

Finally, the deadlock was broken in the 56th minute. Caio surged down the left and cut the ball back, leaving Mendes with an easy finish. Yet, while Wasl were basking in the breakthrough, Kalba equalised. Previously anonymous, striker Modibo Maiga chested down a long pass, spun on the edge of the home team’s area and drilled a stinging half-volley beyond Ali. Predictably, Wasl looked stunned.

From there, it could have looked even worse for the hosts, but Ciel dragged his chance wide on 74 minutes when again through on goal, and then Wasl captain Waheed Ismail blocked brilliantly when Bakary Kone was almost certain to score.

In the end, it was a precious point for Kalba, who climb one spot to 10th in the standings and five points from relegation. Wasl, meanwhile, stay frustratingly where they were.

What the managers said

Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Al Wasl: "It was a match where we could win the three points and lose the three points. We made too many mistakes in defence and, from one of those, they scored and drew the match. It's true, Al Jazira have a significant gap, but there are seven matches still to play and 21 points available. Never we say this is the end."

Goran Tufegdzic, Kalba: “Today, our team really deserved this point. We kept to our strategy and had three chances one-against-one with their goalkeeper. For us, it’s a good result for the players’ confidence. Until now, for sure we’re not safe, but each point for us is big. To get one at Wasl, I have to be satisfied.”

Man of the match — Ronaldo Mendes, Wasl

Won the penalty, hit the woodwork and scored Wasl’s goal — was the game’s brightest player, although Kalba’s central midfield deserves credit, too.

The National verdict

Wasl were left to rue two points that got away. They were not as clinical as they have been thus far this season, while Kalba commendably displayed enough resolve to keep their high-flying hosts at bay.

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