Ali Daei of Al Shabab (centre) attempts to break through the Al Wasl
defence.
Al Wasl 1 Al Shabab 0
Sharjah 4 RAK 1
Al Dhafra 1 Al Wahda 4
Bani Yas 0 Dubai club 2
Gulf News - Al Wasl defeated Al Shabab by a solitary goal scored by
Iranian striker Farhad Majiedi to bag the first three points in the
President's Cup preliminary round group D held at the Al Wasl stadium
yesterday.
Al Wasl was the best team in the first session with their two
professionals Farhad Majiedi and his compatriot Hamid Kavianpour showing a
good performance in the first match of the season.
Al Wasl played 50 minutes with ten men, after referee showed the red card
to Ismail Rashid for a harsh tackle on Ahmed Al Sayegh of Al Shabab. The
referee also issued marching orders to Farhad Majiedi two minutes before
the final whistle for his second bookable offence.
Al Wasl kept their narrow lead all the time after Majiedi scored their
winner in the 13th minute with a powerful shot following a long pass by
Munzir Ali.
Iranian national team scorer Ali Daei tried hard for Shabab in his debut
for his new club after signing for them three months ago.
However, he didn't get enough support from the midfield although his
teammate and countryman Mehrdad Minavand played in the Shabab midfield
yesterday.
But he didn't perform well and couldn't make the crosses Ali Daie needed
infront of the Al Wasl goal.
The Al Wasl defence, led by Humaid Yousuf, Munzir Ali, Rashid Abdul Karim,
kept the Al Shabab strikers at bay for most of the time.
In the other matches played yesterday Sharjah defeated Ras Al Khaimah 4-1
at the Sharjah stadium In group B. Ahmed Dhiya scored a hat-trick for
Sharjah while Iraqi Razaq Farhan added the fourth. Salman Hasan scored the
consolation goal for Ras Al Khaimah.
In the same group B, Al Wahda beat first division new comer Al Dhafra 4-1
at the Al Dhafra stadium.
Yasir Salim, Colombian Castello, Brazilian Paolo Sergio (penalty kick) and
Al Dhafra defender Issa Mussa scored in his own goal for Wahda while
Mohammed Abdullah netted the Al Dhafra lone goal from the spot.
In group C, Dubai club defeated Bani Yas 2-0 at the latter's ground.