ABU DHABI // Sebastian Tagliabue netted a hat-trick for Al Wahda to round off their Arabian Gulf League campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Al Nasr on Sunday night at Al Nahyan Stadium.
The result would not have made any difference on the standings in the league table, but it did provide Wahda a welcome boost ahead of the President’s Cup round of 16, which kicks off on Thursday.
“It is the kind of result and the finish we looked for, particularly when we have to play in a new competition. This performance will certainly provide a confidence booster,” said Sami Al Jaber, the Wahda coach.
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Ivan Jovanovic, the Nasr coach, said he expected a better performance from his team than what they displayed on the pitch in the capital.
“The players are coming after some very tough games playing in both the league and the Gulf Clubs Cup. For sure we will regroup and return for the cup games,” he said.
Wahda meet Dubai in their President’s Cup opener on Thursday and Nasr play Sharjah on Friday.
Tagliabue was on target twice before Mohammed Al Akbari added a third. Ibrahima Toure pulled one back for Nasr, his 18th league goal, before Tagliabue and substitute Amer Omar scored twice within two minutes to complete the victory.
Ismail Matar was pushed from behind by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Nasr defender, and Tagliabue stepped forward to convert the spot kick for an early lead for Wahda. He doubled the lead three minutes into the second half when he rose above the Nasr defence to knock in a dipping cross from Ahmed Rashid.
Al Akbari picked on a loose ball and hammered home the third from front of a crowded goalmouth. Tagliabue completed his hat-trick with a superb solo effort, and Omar scored from his first touch a minute after replacing Damian Diaz.
In Dubai, Al Shabab drew 1-1 with Al Dhafra as a second-place finish slipped through their fingers on the final day. Dhafra took a surprise lead after four minutes as Humam Tariq pounced on a defensive mix-up to score into an empty net.
Edgar Bruno equalised for Shabab after 29 minutes, but the hosts had two apparent winning goals ruled out as they finished third, behind Al Jazira.
Outgoing champions Al Ahli’s season ended with a whimper as they lost 1-0 at Baniyas last night. The match looked as though it was going to end goalless, but Fawaz Al Musabi struck with five minutes remaining to secure the three points.
The result means that Al Ahli finish a disappointing domestic campaign in seventh spot and Baniyas three points further back in eighth.
The Dubai club must now pick themselves up ahead of their Asian Champions League double-header against Al Ain later this month.
apassela@thenational.ae
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