Al Jazira’s IPIC Cup meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers ended alarmingly, after a fan fell from the terraces during the celebrations of the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s overall tournament victory.
The supporter was rushed into an ambulance after receiving expert care from the on-site medical staff at Military Stadium in the capital when a railing collapsed, leading to a 20-foot fall onto the concrete below.
Jazira had earlier sunk to a 2-1 defeat to the AFC Champions League contenders, but claimed the trophy on goals scored after beating Bahraini’s Eastern Riffa 4-1 in their opener on Tuesday with the Australians losing 2-1 to the same opponents on Thursday.
Eric Gerets’ men had started brightest last night, Jucilei cutting inside to sweep high into the goal after summer signing Manuel Lanzini continued his exciting early form by robbing the ball in midfield and playing the Brazil international in expertly.
This was as good as it got for Jazira against obstinate and physically imposing opposition, who came alive when bearded playmaker Vitor Saba got onto the ball. It was the Brazilian who curled in the corner from which Iacopo La Rocca nodded an instant leveller, benefitting from stand-in goalkeeper Khalid Al Senani recklessly rushing off his line.
The few chances that followed went to the Australians, who could yet return to the UAE for the ACL final if they see off FC Seoul and Al Ain beat Al Hilal in the last-four ties.This superiority against a heavily-depleted Jazira side missing 21 players to international duty was sealed after the interval, Kwabena Appiah firing in low following a devastating counter-attack.
The game was the capital outfit’s final run out before they begin their Arabian Gulf League campaign away to Ajman on Monday, September 15.