Sharjah: Al Nasr dropped vital points against Sharjah with a goalless draw in their opening round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) here late on Friday.
Convincing 3-0 winners against debutants Ajman in their Arabian Gulf Cup opener last week, Al Nasr struggled to find their rhythm against a team that was playing with just one foreign player compared to the Blue Wave’s full quota of four.
Though Al Nasr had ended in sixth at the end of the AGL last season, the Dubai side has been among the side showing serious intent for the title after bringing in former Italian manager Cesare Prandelli as their coach this year. No doubt, they enjoyed a major share of exchanges and possession, but that meant nothing in the end as they struggled to get past a sturdy home team defence to drop vital points.
After a sedate start, it was Al Nasr who brought things to life midway through the half as a Marcelo Cirino da Silva cross from the right flank took too much of a curve and went out of reach for a chasing Jasim Yaqoub. It was the home team that finally managed to put the ball in goal in the 26th minute after Ryan James headed in following a corner. But referee Ammar Al Junaibi blew for a foul on Al Nasr’s Lebanese recruit Joan Oumari.
Al Nasr continued having a better share of exchanges in the second half as well, and hardly ten minutes into the session, it was Abdul Aziz Barrada heading over in the 54th minute with no one challenging him. The visitors continued pressing even more and Wanderley came close with a long range effort in the 69th minute that Ahmad Juma [Dida] managed to tip over to safety.
Prandelli packed his forward line with additional players bringing in Ahmad Khamis and Salem Saleh. But the home defence barely allowed Al Nasr any liberties as the match ended in a well-deserved tie.
RESULT
Sharjah x Al Nasr 0-0
