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Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda continued their recent strong performances and went on to beat Al Karama, the Syrian leaders of Group C, with a solitary goal scored by Mohammad Al Shehhi to renew their slim hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League with only one match remaining in the preliminary round.
But despite the loss, Al Karama, with 10 points, seem the best placed to snatch the berth in the quarterfinals as they will host Al Ahli, from Saudi Arabia while Al Wahda, with 8 points, will face Al Sadd, from Qatar, away in Doha. Both matches will be held on Wednesday, May 21. Ahmad Abdul Halim, the Egyptian caretaker coach of Al Wahda, gave a chance to many players while keeping a number of his first line up for the domestic league.
Goalless
Yasir Mattar, Hassan Ameen, Basheer Saeed, Saeed Al Kathiri and Tilal Abdullah all started the match following their absence from recent matches because of injuries or because of the coach's choice keeping them on the bench.
In the second half, following a goalless first period, Abdul Halim used Al Shehhi to replace Brazilian striker Josiel Da Rocha who was injured in the last five minutes of the first half.
Al Karama, who played the final match of the competition two years ago, were defending solidly knowing that a single point would secure their promotion to the quarterfinals but the attacking moves of Al Wahda, led by a determined Esmail Mattar, were successful in breaking through at the end of the match when his solo run beat two defenders before sending Al Shehhi clear to score the precious goal, one minute before the end of regular time.
It was the first defeat for Al Karama this year.
"We were determined to win the match irrespective of our hopes of reaching the quarterfinals," Abdul Halim said.
"Winning was important for the players' morale after their recent strong performances and good results. I am grateful for my players for their high spirits and determination," Abdul Halim told Gulf News.
The match was a good opportunity to use Basheer and Hassan after their recovery from long injuries and they proved their fitness.
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