Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Shah Alam: Qatar Champions Al Sadd joined Al Sadaka of Lebanon in the finals of the AFC Futsal Club Championship 2013 after defeating star-studded Al Wasl 5-3 in the semi-finals played at the Panasonic Sports Complex on Tuesday.
With their victory over Al Wasl, the 2010 runners-up will travel to Japan alongside with Chonburi Bluewave, Shenzhen Nanling, Thai Son Nam, Al Sadaka and league champions of Iran and Uzbekistan.
With both the sides paying much attention on their defensive play, chances were hard to come by in the beginning before Brazilian Patrick Vieira broke the ice in the 10th minute after utilizing a release from captain Amro Mohssein.
Two minutes later Mohssein, who had scored a hattrick against Al Salmiya on Sunday, found space through the legs of Al Wasl goalie Khaled Albelooshi to make it 2-0.
The half-time team talks did not do any favour to the Emiratis after Mohamed Ibrahim added Al Sadd’s third goal in the 22nd minute to virtually bag the match in their favour.
Al Wasl’s defence fall flat after they resorted on Power-play as Vieira notched his second after connecting an acute shot from his own half in the empty net.
Al Wasl staged a late fight back grabbing three goals making it a grandstand finish at the Panasonic Stadium. Jamil Abdulkarim, Salem Hezam and Abdulraouf Omar grabbed a goal each for Al Wasl but a late goal from Al Sadd goalkeeper Ahmad Khalil eased the pressures on the Qataris.
"Its our fault that we did not kill the match off earlier," said Al Sadd coach Eisa Mohammed. "When they resorted in the Power-play, they had advantage because our players were tired so we had to suffer nervy moment later.
"But its a good feeling that we achieved our goal and now the concentration would be tomorrow's match, we want to wrap things up in positive notes," he concluded.
Goals
| **Al Sadd** | **Al Wasl** |
| Amro Mohassin 11', 26' | Jamil Abdulkarim 32' |
| Patrick Vieira 9' | Salem Hazem 33' |
| Mohamed Ibrahim 22' | Omar Abdulraouf 36' |
| Khalil Ahmad 39' |