ChinaKhirbin penalty earns Al Wahda win over nine-man Al Rayyan
Michael Church
2 minutes read
Al Wahda s former Asian Player of the Year Omar Khirbin netted a late penalty to secure a 1-0 win over Qatar s nine-man Al Rayyan in Group E on Friday to keep alive the Asian Champions League hopes of the United Arab Emirates club.
Khirbin struck from the spot 19 minutes from time in Goa after Franck Kom was judged to have fouled Fares Jumaa and referee Ahmed Al Ali pointed to the spot.
Kom was booked for the initial challenge and then got a second yellow card for dissent to reduce Al Rayyan to nine men.
The most significant incident that happened in the first half was when Ahmed Abelmaqsoud was shown the red card when he tripped Abdulla Anwar.
Having the numerical advantage, Henk Ten Cate s men started pressing for the opener in the second half. Their efforts finally paid dividends when Franck Kom fouled Fares Jumaa inside the box and a penalty was awarded. The referee also showed the second yellow to Kom and gave the marching orders which reduced Al Rayyan to nine men.
Khibrin made no mistake to score from 12 yards which handed Al Wahda a much-needed win in their bid to progress to the knockouts.