On a dramatic football night at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, Al Wasl of the UAE achieved a historic comeback (remontada) against their Iraqi guests Al Zawraa, winning 4-2 after extra time and securing their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League 2.
The original time of the match ended with Al Wasl winning 3-2, the same result as the first leg match that Al Zawraa won in Baghdad, so the two teams were tied 5-5 on aggregate, and they went to two extra periods in which “The Emperor” scored the decisive qualifying goal.
Details and events of the exciting match
Al Wasl entered the match needing a two-goal victory to secure direct qualification, but they found themselves trailing early when Al Zawraa's star Nigerian striker, Ibrahim Tomiwa, scored in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a precise pass from Hassan Abdul Karim. Despite the Emirati team's attempts to equalize, the first half ended with the Iraqi side in the lead.
At the start of the second half, Al Wasl quickly equalized through Colombian Brian Palacios in the 46th minute. But the home side's joy was short-lived, as Tomiwa put Al Zawraa back in the lead with a brilliant individual effort in the 65th minute. As the match neared its end, Miguel Borja managed to equalize for Al Wasl in the 76th minute, before Brazilian defender Adrillson Silva snatched a dramatic winner in the third minute of stoppage time (90+3) with a perfectly placed header, forcing extra time.
In the second extra period, Adrelison Silva returned to be the hero of the night by scoring Al Wasl’s fourth goal and his second personally in the 109th minute, unleashing celebrations in the stands of Zabeel Stadium and confirming his team’s passage to the next round.
The context of the tournament and the importance of qualifying
The AFC Champions League 2 is the second tier of club competitions in Asia, following the AFC Champions League, and represents a valuable opportunity for ambitious clubs to achieve continental success. For Al Wasl, one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the UAE with a rich domestic history, this qualification is a significant step in their quest to reclaim their continental glory. This victory also enhances the reputation of Emirati football on the Asian stage.
As for Al-Zawraa of Iraq, one of the most popular and successful clubs in Iraq, the team put on a heroic performance and came very close to qualifying, but they left the tournament with their heads held high after two heavyweight matches that reflected the strength and competitiveness of football in the West Asia region.
A look to the future
With this qualification, Al Wasl will await the winner of the match between Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr and Turkmenistan's Arkadağ in the quarterfinals. Al Nassr won the first leg 1-0, setting up a highly anticipated Gulf derby that could pit Al Wasl against Al Nassr in the next round.
