Goals remain a precious commodity for champions Al Jazira and merged superpower Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club, Friday night’s scoreless stalemate seeing more ground ceded in the Arabian Gulf League’s title race.
With each dead end found and wayward ball sent up from midfield, further evidence mounted that neither can hope to live with vivid leaders Al Wasl.
In 90 stodgy minutes at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, underwhelming Brazilian forward Romarinho shot straight at UAE No1 Majed Nasser at the start of the second half for the hosts and Makhete Diop sent a series of hopeful headers over at the other end. Not good enough for teams of such collective talent.
In a repeat of the recent dour clash with Wasl, the home side’s problems were predictable. UAE hot shot Ali Mabkhout was only fit enough for a static cameo off the substitutes’ bench and Ahmed Khalil was denied a reunion with his ex-Al Ahli team-mates because of predictable injury.
With little more than a month left until he runs out at the Club World Cup, much more is also required from ineffectual ex-France anchorman Lassana Diarra.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi are already eight points off the pace and appear on course for the sort of miserly title defence last witnessed by – the now defunct – Ahli in 2014/15, whose current guise made it a worrying three 0-0 draws in a row.
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This is a problem that will alarm coach Cosmin Olaroiu. His charges were again unable to find a way through despite boasting a front line of €17 million (Dh70m) record buy Moussa Sow, fellow Senegal international Diop and roving Moldova forward Henrique Luvannor.
This funk cannot be allowed to continue after the international break.
Opportunities were at a premium, Diop and Romarinho going closest. Late drama was provided when Luvannor screamed for a penalty in added time, but a foul was given against him from the collision with centre-back Fares Juma.
Meanwhile, Sharjah escaped from the bottom as Brazilian striker Welliton’s solitary effort against Emirates Club earned a first win of the campaign.
The defeated Falcons were watched on by ex-UAE Under-23 boss Dr Abdullah Misfer. He is a leading contender to takeover permanently following his dismissal by Jordan.
