A “fatal” penalty kick deprives Al-Wahda of victory over Dibba

The Dibba team spoiled Al-Wahda’s joy after snatching a valuable 1-1 draw in the dead time, in the eighth round of the ADNOC Professional League today, Friday.

Al-Wahda raised its score to 18 points at the top of the standings, achieving a distinguished record of not losing during 8 consecutive rounds, while Dibba raised its score to 3 points in twelfth place.

Al-Wahda took the lead with a goal scored by Syrian professional Omar Khribin in the 74th minute after a shot from inside the penalty area hit Dibba’s Brazilian defender Santos and changed its direction toward the net.

In the 90th + 9th minute, the referee awarded a correct penalty kick in favor of Dibba after the Brazilian Cabral was obstructed, and the video technology confirmed it, so the Iraqi Muhannad Ali translated it into an equalizer, amid the grief of the Al Wahda players.

Dibba entered the match in a strict defensive style (5-4-1), which made it very difficult to penetrate its back lines. Al-Wahda dominated offensively, but ineffectively, as the team shot 33 balls, most of which ended in the arms of the brilliant goalkeeper, Mohammed Salem Al-Ruwaihi, or over the crossbar, while Dibba stuck to its defensive organization as a suitable solution to repel the attacks.

The 12th minute witnessed a chance for Dibba after a mistake by Al-Wahda’s Nigerian defender, Favor Ogbo, and the ball reached his compatriot, Dibba player Benedict, who strangely shot outside the goal.

Al-Wahda scored a goal in the 31st minute through Facundo, but the video technology canceled it due to a handball before the shot.

Al-Wahda player Alaa El-Din Zuhair emerged as his team’s best player during the first half thanks to his activity in creating attacks and his clear defensive role.

Despite Annabi’s success in advancing with Khribin’s goal, Dibba showed a fighting spirit and succeeded in equalizing at the last minute, depriving Al-Wahda of a win that was within reach, and coming away with a valuable point that may play an important role in its struggle to improve its position in the standings.