Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: A Sebastian Tagliabue brace helped Al Wahda to a resounding 5-1 win over Al Rayyan in Group D of the AFC Champions League on Monday as the Emirati side claimed their first victory of this year's competition and kept alive their Round of 16 qualification hopes.
Spanish forward Sergio Garcia had given visitors Al Rayyan an early lead at Al Nahyan Stadium, but saw his side’s advantage disappear just 12 minutes later when Jorge Valdivia’s clever through ball picked out Ahmed Al Akberi who leveled the scores.
By half-time, Al Wahda were ahead as Balasz Dzsudzsak’s well struck effort deflected in off team-mate Tagliabue, before Salem Sultan turned home a Dzsudzsak free-kick seven minutes after the restart.
Tagliabue and Khalil Ibrahim added gloss to the scoreline as Al Wahda moved within three points of second-placed Al Rayyan ahead of their Matchday Six encounter with third-placed Persepolis, who played out a scoreless draw with Al Hilal in Monday's other Group D fixture as Al Hilal secured their progression to the knockout phase.