Abu Dhabi: Sharjah and Al Wasl, one of the most crucial contenders in the history of UAE football, met late on Thursday in the last week of the first round of the UAE Pro-League (UFL) before settling in a dull encounter for a 1-1 tie that helped neither.
Two decades ago, the UAE national team was mainly selected from these two teams while the present UAE team features only one player from both: Majid Nasir, the custodian of Al Wasl.
The match was played virtually behind closed doors as fans of both clubs did not bother to come and the players were not encouraged to show their best.
Humaid Ahmad put Sharjah into the lead in the 17th minute and Al Wasl were lucky to equalise when Tarig Ahmad's shot was deflected by an off side colleague to enter the net.
Sudden turn of events
Mahmoud Al Mass, Sharjah's custodian hurt his ankle and has to be substituted as a result of his sudden turn to save the ball in the 23rd minute.
"Our fans expect us to play good matches and win the result which is very difficult. Our defeat against Al Nasr in our last match did not encourage them to come and support us so the players were not motivated enough to show their best." Nasir said after the match.
"The match was not as expected and both teams did not show their true worth." Humaid Yousuf, Al Wasl manager, said.
"It is sad to play with no fans and the players are not encouraged to do their best. I hope that the fans will come back to support their team.
"I believe that winning a point from Sharjah away and after losing our last match was a good achievement. The last defeat put our players under tremendous pressures and it was good to see them coming back to equalise."
In Dubai, Al Nasr beat Al Ittihad 2-0 with Esmail Bangoura scoring both goals. Al Ittihad are still at the bottom and need more work during the stoppage of the UFL.
