Maradona's Al Wasl knocked out of President's Cup

A Fernando Baiano double helped Al Wahda to a 3-2 win over Al Wasl in the President's Cup, and piled the pressure on beleaguered boss Diego Maradona, as he saw his side slip to yet another defeat. Wasl have now won just one game in their last seven outings, yet looked on course to end a miserable run as Juan Manuel Olivera headed a 47th minute opener for the Cheetahs. However goals from Baiano (2) and defender Mohammed Albalushi put Wahda in complete control, before Olivera netted a stoppage-time consolation. The first half was a drab affair with both sides showing signs of the scars that recent defeats have brought. Hamdan Al Kamali sent Hugo Henrique’s corner over the bar from a promising position for Wahda midway through the first half, summing up the lack of quality on display from both teams. Rashed Essa took matters into his own hands soon after down the other end, but his long range effort was gathered by Mutaz Abdulla in the Wahda goal at the second attempt. Right at the end of what was a very uninspiring half of football, Wasl’s playmaker-in-chief, Mariano Donda, collected Essa’s lofted pass and fired a superb 25-yard effort off the post. Six inches to the right and Maradona would have been celebrating a much-needed goal right before his half-time team talk, but luck deserted the Argentine, and Donda, on this occasion. Wahda signalled their intention at the beginning of the second half, with Hugo sending a header crashing against Majed Naser’s crossbar, before Wasl took the lead in the 47th minute with a header of their own. Mohammed Jamal sent a teasing cross from the right flank, and Olivera rose highest to plant a firm downward effort past Mutaz. Despite the quality of the big Uruguayan’s strike, the Wahda goalkeeper will feel he could, and should, have done better. Maradona’s celebrations were cut short just three minutes later, however, as Wahda crafted a fine goal. Hugo sent Mahmoud Khamis overlapping down the left flank with a delicious backheel, and the full back’s cross was met by Baiano; the Brazilian front man directing his header past the despairing Naser. Josef Hickersberger’s charges were now in complete control, but it was Wasl who came closest to retaking the lead, as Donda centred for Olivera, but the 30-year-old shot wide when it seemed easier to score. And Wasl were made to pay for their frugality in front of goal 17 minutes from time. Mahmoud Khamis sent over a teasing free kick that Naser had no right to come for, and Albalushi rose highest to head into an empty net. Wahda weren’t allowed to settle on their lead, however, and a few minutes later  Mohammadreza Khalatbari produced an astonishing miss, spooning over from six yards when completely unmarked in the Wahda area, following Olivera’s knock down. Olivera then tested Mutaz with a header, but despite Wasl’s attempts to draw level, Baiano sent Wahda into the semi finals in the final minute of normal time, as he collected Hugo’s delicate through ball, rounded Naser, and fininshed high into the net. There was time for Olivera to net a consolation, the front man adding to his impressive recent goal tally, but it wasn’t enough to save The Cheetahs from yet another defeat. Many watched former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s timely comeback for Arsenal on Monday night; if Wasl continue this wretched run of form, Maradona may well be asked to summon his boots to inject some life into his misfiring side.