Dibba shock Al Wahda

Dibba got a sweet revenge over Al Wahda with a 2-1 win in the Group B second-round encounter of the Arabian Gulf Cup at Fujairah Stadium on Saturday.

Al Wahda had started the League season with a scintillating 5-0 drubbing over Dibba at Al Nahyan Stadium. However, on Saturday, the 'Clarets' were left to count the number of missed chances as Dibba striker Alassane Diallo scored twice.

Al Wahda striker Mourad Batna missed a scoring opportunity as early as in the third minute. The Moroccan got the better of three defenders but could find a way past keeper Mohammed Al Rowaihi.

Two minutes later, striker Sebastian Tagliabue mistimed his shot on goal. Dibba responded with all-out effort from both the flanks as Al Wahda maintained pressure. And Batna had one of his shots disturbing the woodwork in the 22nd minute.

Both teams relied on long passes and a final cheeky pass to catch the defence unawares. The strategy eventually reaped benefits for the home side. And Dibba striker Diallo scored his first of the competition with a thunderous shot that sneaked through the hands of keeper Rashed Ali. At the other end, Batna again missed to find a target with a curling shot.  A substitution after half-time saw Al Wahda draw level.

Mohamed Al Shehhi made good with a pass from Tagliabue to score in the 48th minute. It was fighting stuff from then on but Diallo put Dibba ahead with a superb header to secure a big win at home. With the win, Dibba move to second spot in the group and Al Wahda in fifth.

Meanwhile, in a Group A match, new boys Ajman pocketed their first win of the season by beating Abu Dhabi side Al Dhafra 3-1 at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium.

The match came into life in the second half as Bakare Kone, Adeilson and Waleed Khalid were on target. Al Dhafra had just one consolidation goal scored in the extra minute through Ali Ibrahim Al Hammadi. Ajman now sit third with three points from two matches and Al Dhafra at bottom of the table.

Source: Khaleej Times