Dubai Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo was left ruing several missed chances, which he blamed on "anxiety", as his team were held to a goalless draw by Qatar's Al Gharafa in their opening Group D match in the AFC Champions League here late on Wednesday.

Playing in the continental competition under Brazilian Bonamigo for the first time, Al Shabab did everything, but score in a match that never rose to any great heights.

"This was our first match in Asia and the players were anxious. Besides they were playing at home and there were high expectations for a positive result, and hence they could have suffered due to this anxiety," explained the Al Shabab coach during the post-match media conference. "Our next match is away [against Pirouzi in Iran] and I am expecting that to be better as they will be able to play without any pressure."

Bonamigo took over mid-season from Toninho Cerezo, under whom Al Shabab played in the AFC Champions League for the first time a couple of seasons back. This time the Al Mamzar outfit came through the play-offs thanks to a 3-0 drubbing of Uzbekistan's Neftchi to make it into Group D along with Al Gharafa, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Pirouzi.

"If I was asked to grade my team on a scale of ten, I would give them a score of eight for their gutsy display and for not losing their concentration throughout the match. But, had they scored a goal, it would have been ten out of ten," Bonamigo said. "We did everything better than Al Gharafa. We attacked well, we defended well and we created scoring opportunities. The only thing we did not do is find the goal."

More than pleased

Al Gharafa's French coach Bruno Metsu — formerly with the UAE national team — was more than pleased with the point. "Both teams played well. In the first half we had the advantage and they were forced to play counter-attacks and in the second half it was the reverse. We are happy with the one point from this away match," he said.

"Al Shabab is a team with a lot of confidence following their recent form and their victory over Neftchi. We missed some of our key players and then we had to substitute our goalkeeper.

"This was not an easy match. Al Shabab is very strong in attack and it was our compact defence that made all the difference. This start gives me a lot of hope for our next game."

The second round of matches will be on March 21, with Al Gharafa hosting Al Hilal, while Al Shabab will travel to the imposing Azadi Stadium in Tehran to play Pirouzi, who drew 1-1 against Al Hilal later on Wednesday.

Fixture: Friendly match

Emirates Cultural Sports Club will meet Egypt's Al Ahli in a friendly match today.

Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirates Club will host a friendly game between the two teams for the first time.

Mohammad Gobash, the deputy club manager, said in a press conference yesterday that the match is important because it is a good opportunity for Emirates to play with an old and experienced club such as Al Ahli.

— WAM