DUBAI // Javier Aguirre was delighted to send the travelling Al Wahda support back to Abu Dhabi in celebratory mood after seeing his team secure their place in the Arabian Gulf Cup final with victory at Al Wasl.
“It was a strong match, it was an equal match,” Aguirre said of his side’s 2-1 win at Zabeel Stadium.
“Either team could have won, Al Wasl fought till the end. They are a strong, organised team, but in the end I’m very happy my team made it to the final.”
The home team started brighter and had a golden chance to take a fourth-minute lead but the stretching Fabio Lima could not apply a finishing touch to Edgar Bruno’s cross with the goal begging.
The visitors slowly took hold of the match after that with Denilson and Jorge Valdivia dominating midfield.
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Al Wasl goalkeeper Rashed Ali had to save at full stretch to deny Sebastian Tagliabue’s firmly struck header. The Argentine striker came close to breaking the deadlock again with the best chance of the half on 41 minutes, curling wide from close range after being set up brilliantly by Ismail Matar.
The same two players combined to great effect just after half time, with Emirati forward Matar taking advantage of a mistake in Al Wasl’s defence to cross for the Argentine to score with a looping header.
“It was similar match to the one we had in the league here, we could have won then as well but lost 1-0,” Aguirre said.
“In the league Al Wasl did not make any mistakes and their goalkeeper saved three chances. Today we took advantage of their mistakes.”
Fabio Lima should have equalised on 72 minutes but shot wide of Adel Al Hosani’s goal. Seconds later man-of-the-match Valdivia collected Salem’s low cross and dinked over Rashed to extend Wahda’s advantage.
Wasl were thrown a lifeline with 12 minutes left when Caio Canedo was brought down in the area and was awarded a penalty. Lima duly converted from the spot.
Minutes later Hazza Salem shot over from Lima’s pass, and with that went Wasl’s last chance to force extra time.
Aguirre singled out two players for special praise.
“Valdivia today played a big match; he is a world-class player,” the Mexican coach said.
“Last league match he played only 25 minutes but today he was excellent.
“Also I want to thank Hussain Fadel, who was expected to give way to our new Korean signing, but who did not get clearance for this match. He knew that he will be left out and still he played a great match and I congratulate him for that.”
Wasl coach Gabriel Calderon was magnanimous in defeat.
“Congratulations to Al Wahda, they played better than us,” he said.
“My team have been fantastic this season but they need more time to become champions. They have quality but we need to work on creating a winning mentality. We needed the players to play at higher level.”
Wasl’s Argentine coach also praised Wahda’s star players for rising to the occasion.
“This is a match where the big players need to deliver. Today Valdivia was the best player and no one could contain him,” Calderon said.
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