DUBAI // So Al Ahli bring an end, finally, to the first half of the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League. The Dubai club, finalists in the Asian Champions League, have had a gruelling month's worth of football, with Monday night's derby at Al Wasl their eighth match in 29 days.
Little wonder, then, that they struggled to a 0-0 draw at the Zabeel Stadium. The 2013/14 champions, second in the standings, enter the second half of the campaign three points off Al Ain, the side who seized the trophy from them last year.
Wasl, fourth in the table, always represented decent opponents, especially because Ahli were missing the suspended Kwon Kyung-won and the injured Rodrigo Lima. In the latter’s absence, the visitors lacked a cutting edge, and Everton Ribeiro wasted Ahli’s best chance when through on goal. After the break, Ismail Al Hammadi’s cross was deflected onto the post by a Wasl defender.
That was as close as Ahli came against their hosts, who offered a determined display without playmaker Hugo Viana, serving a one-match ban and watching closely from the stands.
Cosmin Olaroiu ended up there, too, as he was sent off for remonstrating with the referee. Given the official’s performance, Olaroiu’s irritation was understandable.
Edgar Bruno also left early, his match finishing just before the final whistle once he picked up two quick-fire bookings.
For Ahli, who had Ciel return for the first time in 15 months, they will be thankful to have closed the first chapter of the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League. It’s a shame the second opens on Saturday, with an away trip to Fujairah.
Man of the match
Ismail Al Hammadi – The livewire winger was always a threat and helped create some of his side’s best chances. As usual, a typically full-blooded display in which he helped in defence almost as much as going forward..
What they said
Catalin Raducan, the Ahli assistant coach: “This was one of the best games we played in the last period. The players fought, they wanted to win and in my opinion they deserved to win. But this is the final result and of course we’re not very happy with this. I don’t have anything to complain about our players, they gave 100 per cent in the game.”
Gabriel Calderon, Al Wasl coach: “It was a very tough match for both teams, whoever scored the first was 99 per cent going to win. I’m happy with the result. We were missing Hugo Viana and Ahli were missing players also – the players are not machines, they cannot give their best all the time. Al Ahli played at a very good level, and didn’t give us a chance to play our football.”
The National’s verdict
Ahli will be disappointed with the dropped points, but they stay on the coattails of Al Ain at the summit. For a side running on fumes, they still managed to put in a committed performance. Wasl were not at their best, but they have plenty to look forward to for the remainder of the season.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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