‘We never turned up’ fumes Ebrahimzadeh

Hassan Amin’s 71st minute goal settled the Group A encounter although the margin of defeat could have been greater after the hosts hit the post three times.

The result means Zobahan now face a potentially tense final game against last year’s runners-up Al Ittihad.

“I had told you yesterday that it will not be an easy match and now you can understand why I said that. Al Wahda was under no pressure and they played well,” said Ebrahimzadeh.

“Compared to our previous performances we were hardly in the game. Al Wahda dominated the first-half but we did come back strongly in the second-half. I also feel we were denied a penalty but that does not take anything away from their win.

“We missed a few of our players. We will now have to regroup, we have a game in four days in Iran but we will focus on the ACL match.

Al Wahda, meanwhile, celebrated picking up their first points of the campaign and coach Josef Hickesberger believes the win shows the difference between the two teams is not as great as the table suggests.

“We played very well in the first-half and controlled the game,” said the Austrian.

“Even in the second-half, apart from the first 15 minutes, we were the better team and after Hassan Amin’s goal we hit the post a number of times. It was a well-deserved win.

“This win also shows that the difference between teams in the ACL is not as the points indicate, though Zobahan were missing three of their players.

“We had no chance in the ACL and after our win against Al Ain in the league my players were more relaxed and confident.”

Al Wahda conclude their AFC Champions League campaign against Bunyodkor in Tashkent and Hickesberger conceded he will give some of his fringe players a chance against the Uzbeks.

“Like today for sure I will rest some key players as we have a key game four days after that match,” he added.

“One must understand our position as we are close to winning the UAE league and making the trip to Uzbekistan will be tough.”