Shabab Al Ahli Dubai held by gritty Sharjah
dubai — Shabab Al Ahli Dubai missed the chance to go joint second in the Arabian Gulf League standings after being held to a stalemate by Sharjah.
The Dubai club had a flurry of attempts on goal but couldn’t get the job done as they returned with a goalless draw from the Sharjah Stadium on Saturday night. Meanwhile, goals from Rayan Yaslam and Caio Fernandes helped Al Ain to the summit of the Arabian Gulf League with a 2-0 victory over Emirates in matchweek 5 at Emirates Club Stadium.
Cosmin Olaroiu’s men remain in fourth with 10 points following three wins and a loss, with this being their first draw.
Meanwhile, Sharjah stay rooted at the bottom of the table with two points. ‘The King,’ who installed former playmaker Abdulaziz Al Anbari as their new coach following Jose Peseiro’s axing last week, are yet to win a game so far. They have lost three and drawn two.
After a rather tepid start, Sharjah had the first attempt at goal on 17 minutes but Shabab Al Ahli Dubai goalkeeper Majed Naser made an aerial collection to deny Welliton Soares. The veteran shot stopper was called into action again in the next minute and he did well to punch Alhasan Saleh’s inch perfect cross from the left before Yousif Saeed could get to it.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s first opportunity and the best chance of the half came on 22 minutes when Senegalese striker Makhete Diop floated a fine cross from the left. Goalkeeper Ahmed Juma managed to push it away before Moussa Sow could have a go at it. The ball fell in Chang Jin Moon’s path and the South Korean got past two defenders and shot, but drilled it way over the cross bar.
Diop came up with a chance just as the clock towards the half hour but his effort, with his weak left foot, went wide of the right post.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai came close on 55 minutes when midfielder Khamis Ismail’s long ranger drew a save from Ahmed Juma and although Sow set it up for Moon, the South Korean missed the target from close range.
Mohammed Sebil Obaid then sent his diving header from close range, over the cross bar after Henrique Luvannor had squared it up from the left on 58 minutes as the Dubai side continued to apply the pressure.
Another chance was missed just on the hour as Sow’s header from the right hit the side netting following a cross from Diop.
It was a frantic closing stages with Shabab Al Ahli Dubai pushing on but goalkeeper Ahmed Juma and the defence stood firm.
Sharjah had an attempt on 83 minutes but Welliton Soares’ leftfooter took a deflection off a defender. At the other end, Sow, powerful header from close range was collected safely by Ahmed Juma.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai host second-placed Al Wahda at the Rashid Stadium next week, while Sharjah face a tough test against the League’s leaders Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
james@khaleejtimes.com