Al Wahda coach Josef Hickersberger was pleased to see his side secure their place in the 2010 AFC Champions League following a 5-2 play-off win over Churchill Brothers on Saturday.

The hosts fell behind in the 41st minute when Japanese midfielder Dan Ito struck. Al Wahda struck back with goals either side of the break from Fernando Baiano and Mahmoud Khamis.

Abdulraheem Juma made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute before Baiano scored his second goal of the game two minutes later and though Churchill Brothers pulled a goal back in the 77th minute through Leihaorungbam Dhanachandra Singh, Ismaeil Matar sealed the win with five minutes remaining.

The victory means Al Wahda will play in Group B of the AFC Champions League but Hickersberger expressed his disappointment with the performance of his side’s defence against Churchill Brothers.

“Despite winning tonight, I’m not satisfied with the performance especially defensively as we conceded two goals from simple mistakes,” said the Austrian.