Abu Dhabi: A robust Al Wasl’s defence, led by their skipper Waheed Esmail, put up a stiff resistance to force Al Ahli split points after a goalless draw in the Arabian Gulf League at the Zabeel Stadium on Monday.
Much of the credit should also go to Al Wasl custodian Rashed Ali for the way he guarded the citadel with some outstanding saves.
Having dropped two vital points, Al Ahli are three points adrift of league leaders Al Ain, who have 34 points from their 13 outings. Al Wasl remain fourth with 23 points, two off third-placed Al Nasr.
“It was a good game for everybody. It was one of the best games we have played in the last period,” said Al Ahli’s assistant coach Catalin Raducan after the match.
Al Ahli’s star player Moussa Saw, who shone with a brace of goals in their last outing against Emirates, was kept under check by Al Wasl from the word go.
The Frenchman was given little leeway to show his scoring prowess and that hampered his side’s surge.
“The players fought and wanted to win badly. They felt they needed to win, but this is the final result and of course, we are not very happy with this result,” said Raducan.
Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu lost his cool during the match and was consigned to the stands following an argument with the referee in the second half. “It’s difficult to speak about this [Olaroiu’s red card]. The players do their jobs and referees do theirs. It’s a big pressure for everyone and when they make mistakes, they must pay for their mistakes just as everyone else does,” said Raducan, who was of the view that Al Ahli’s performance in the first phase of the league was satisfactory.
“We had a good part of the season and got more points. We lost two points here but we will try to do our best and will comeback strongly to fight for the top place,” asserted Raducan.
Al Wasl coach Gabriel Calderon too was quite pleased with the way his team went about their business. “It was a very tough match for the team and they put in a lot of effort to win. I’m happy with the result. Against Al Ahli you can’t give many chances and it was difficult for us to play and Al Ahli played very well,” said Calderon, who felt that his team’s fourth position on the league standings was commendable.
“It’s a very good place in the league. It’s very satisfying and it’s important to keep this going into the second period.”
