ABU DHABI // Ghazi Ghrairi, the Emirates coach, said his team are progressing with every game after Mohammed Ali Omar fired a late goal to give them a 3-2 victory over a depleted Al Wahda in the Etisalat Cup last night.
"It wasn't a high-quality match but to score a late goal and win full points was a good result for us," said the Tunisian.
"It is true we were playing against a depleted opposition, because Wahda were without eight players who are on national duty. Had they been playing, there would have been more equality on the pitch.
"It is our second game with the first team returning from a camp in Tunisia. And since then, we have drawn 1-1 with Al Ain and won tonight's second game against Wahda. It shows some improvement.
"I think we are 80 per cent ready, and our objective this season is to remain in the top-flight competition."
The visitors took a 2-0 lead at Al Nahyan Stadium through the Guinean forward, Al Hassane Keita, who opened the scoring from a spot kick and then doubled the tally five minutes into the second half in a man-of-the-match performance.
Fernando Baiano's tame spot kick on 14 minutes was easily saved by Ahmed Al Shaji, the Emirates goalkeeper, however Wahda did draw level through Magrao and Haitham Al Yaqoobi's second-half efforts.
Omar proved to be the match-winner for Emirates though, finishing neatly from close range.
apassela@thenational.ae
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