Al Wahda 1 Al Shabab 1
Wahda: Al Akberi (25')
Shabab: Eid (27')
Story of the match:
ABU DHABI // Al Wahda once again learned the hard way that their creative play is wasted if it does not result in goals.
Javier Aguirre’s men were on the offensive for most of the game yet could only muster a solitary goal in a 1-1 draw with Al Shabab on Friday night at Al Nahyan stadium.
Wahda scored first through Mohammed Al Akberi. Argentine forward Sebastian Tagliabue started the move with a through pass for Khalil Ibrahim, and the midfielder drew the Shabab defence before slipping a pass for Al Akberi to score past Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdulla.
However, Wahda’s lead was short-lived, a blunder at the back allowing Ibrahim Eid to equalise just two minutes later.
Mohammed Juma sent a low cross which Rim Chang-woo and Sultan Al Ghaferi both failed to clear, leaving Eid enough time to take aim at the far corner of the net for the equaliser.
Man of the match — Azizbek Haydarov (Al Shabab)
Shabab central midfielder Azizbek Haydarov produced a defensive masterclass to blunt Wahda’s attack both with his marking and spoiling work.
What the managers said:
Javier Aguirre, Al Wahda: "We scored first and then allowed them to score from a mistake. Then the same story that we dominated play and failed to score from the chances we created. I am not dissatisfied with the performance of the team but the results have not matched our performances. It's all about scoring. As a manager, I don't want to point a finger at any player. It is a collective failure. I can only hope we can reorganise ourselves for the second half of the league. We are not too far off the leaders, only nine points with 13 more games to play for, which means 39 points.
Fred Rutten, Al Shabab: "It was a game in which if they scored again they win and if we score again we win. I think we defended well to share a point against a team like Al Wahda. We had a few chances, not as many as Wahda, but we played according to the situation, and we are happy to return with a point. Of course, as a coach, I always look for more from my players."
The National’s verdict:
Wahda are going through a frustrating period. They are doing almost everything right but closing out the wins. If they want to challenge for the title, they must be more ruthless in front of goal.
Round-up:
Sharjah were held to a 1-1 draw by Dibba as they ended the game with 10 players after Waleed Ahmed was sent off in added time. Yassine Mahmoud put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes and Waleed Ahmed cancelled it from a spot kick on 53 minutes.
Ahmed Khamis' early goal was enough for Al Nasr to clinch a 1-0 win over Emirates at the Al Maktoum stadium as Dan Petrescu's side continued their march up the table, leapfrogging Shabab into sixth.
apassela@thenational.ae
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