Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Mahmoud Shelbaieh scored his 30th AFC Cup goal to equal the record set by Brazilian striker Rico as Jordan's Al Wehdat edged closer to securing a place in the last 16 of the AFC Cup as a 2-1 win over Salgaocar on Tuesday ended the hopes of the Indian side in Group D.
Amer Abuhwaiti's eighth minute opener had put the visitors in command at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium before Salgaocar's hopes of rescuing their winless campaign were further dashed when defender Irungbam Khelemba Meitei picked up a second yellow card just 10 minutes into the second half.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, midfielder Ahmed Ishfaq equalised with 19 minutes remaining with Salgaocar's third goal of the campaign.
But with Salgaocar seemingly heading for just a second point in four games, Shelbaieh struck in the 82nd minute to maintain his perfect record of scoring in every game during the 2012 Group Stage to hand Al Wehdat a third win of the campaign and go level in the AFC Cup all-time top scorers' list with Rico (Leandson Dias da Silva), who set his mark over four continental campaigns with Muharraq and one with Riffa.
With unbeaten Uzbek side Neftchi sharing a goalless draw with Oman's Al Arouba in Muscat to concede top spot in Group D, Al Wehdat moved a point clear at the top of the table and crucially five points clear of third-placed Al Arouba with just two games remaining.
"Although we have won the match, it was not easy for us," said Al Wehdat coach Branko Smiljanic.
"We played well and controlled the proceedings in the first half with proper mix of possession and attacks. We also did not want to wear out the players due to extreme humidity, hence we played more of a passing game.
"I am happy with the win as we have jumped to the first position with Al Arouba having drawn their match against Neftchi."
After suffering a third defeat in four games, Salgaocar slipped seven points behind second-placed Neftchi to end their hopes of qualifying for the Round of 16.
"Al Wehdat were physically superior and most of their players had experience playing in the AFC Cup. They knew what they were doing; they held possession and attacked at will," said Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa.
"However, I will take nothing from Salgaocar as my boys showed a lot of character. We were better than Al Wehdat in many departments like crossing, speed and energy. Overall I am very happy."