Dubai: Al Wahda coach Javier Aguirre said experience made the difference in his side’s 1-0 win over Sharjah in the President’s Cup semi-final at Al Nasr on Wednesday, but Sharjah coach Jose Peseiro blamed the referee.
Hungarian midfielder Balasz Dzsudzsak netted a 93rd minute penalty after Gelmin Rivas was ruled to have handled in the box.
It followed Sharjah’s disallowed effort from Yousuf Saeed before the interval, despite replays showing the ball had crossed the line.
“At the end of the day, we tried to win all throughout the second half and got it,” said Aguirre.
“Our experience was important, when you have to show something to make the difference, and with the penalty at the end. We’re so happy to be in the final.”
Peseiro however said the difference between both sides was more to do with the decisions made by referee Mohammad Hassan.
“He is a good referee but everywhere in the world a referee can make mistakes, just like a player or a coach, and tonight he committed a few.
“Unfortunately those mistakes were against us. It wasn’t just once, he didn’t see the goal and it was a goal, the penalty too was a mistake in my opinion, but it happens.
“We are sad and no one expected a goal at that moment. My players did a good job but our performances deserved more.”
Al Wahda will now make their seventh appearance in a President’s Cup final. Despite all those outings, The Clarets have only won the competition once in 2000. The Abu Dhabi club will now play the winner of the second semi-final between Al Nasr and Hatta.
