Losing start for Al Wahda in Cairo - Arab Championship
Arabian Gulf League representatives Al Wahda kicked-off their UAFA Arab Championship campaign with a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Algerian side NA Hussein-Dey in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
Ten minutes into the game, goalkeeper Rashed Ali's attempt to clear a short backpass from Korean defender Rim Chang-woo bounced off Algerian forward Addade Toufique and into the back of Al Wahda's net to give NA Hussein-Dey an early lead.
In the final breaths of the opening period, the Algerians added their second goal of the evening when Walid Arji broke free on the right flank before finding teammate Ahmed Qassimi with a whipped cross behind Al Wahda's defence. Qassimi's first time effort was saved by Rashed Ali but the goalkeeper spilled the ball back into the path of the Algerian striker who converted it this time around to make it 2-0 going into the break.
Romanian Coach Laurentiu Reghecampf introduced Hungarian playmaker Balazs Dzsuzsak in the second half in a bid to bring Al Wahda back into the game, but The Maroons hopes received a blow when Argentinian striker Sebastian Tagliabue was sent off and the Algerian side walked 2-0 winners at the full-time whistle.
Al Wahda face Egypt's Al Ahly in the next round of group A on Tuesday and will be hoping to bounce back from tonight's defeat.
