Nights like these have to be cherished in the Arabian Gulf League.
It saw a virtual sell-out crowd of 8,439 electrify a riotous Zabeel Stadium, bathed in competing yellow and red banners. The result also added to the mounting evidence nascent leaders Al Wasl could break the tiresome duopoly between Monday’s opponents Al Ahli and upcoming foes Al Ain at the top of the table.
How fantastic it would be if this was the norm.
To put another positive spin on a match which fizzled out after the interval, the goalless stalemate boosted both sides.
A seven-match winning streak ended for the upstart hosts under inspirational coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, but they head into the weekend trip to the vanquished 2016 AFC Champions League finalists with dreams validated.
بعد دقيقة صمت على أرواح شهداء الوطن الأبرار ...انطلاقة ديربي دبي بين الوصل والأهلي #أبوظبي_الرياضية #دوري_الخليج_العربي pic.twitter.com/EchtrKxak0
— قناة أبوظبي الرياضية (@ADSportsTV) November 28, 2016
For champions Ahli, they stemmed the bleeding after the toothless 2-0 loss at Al Jazira and embarrassing collapse suffered in the 3-3 draw with Al Dhafra.
“I have to say from the game, only football won,” said visiting coach Cosmin Olaroiu. “Both teams trying to play, great spirit and aggression, supporters and all the ingredients for a football game.
“I wish I played all the games like this.”
If first-half chances had fallen to the right man, the Red Knights would have had something more tangible to celebrate. Playing at his boyhood club, UAE midfielder Habib Fardan blazed over with the goal at his mercy and then shot straight at a brave Rashed Ali from close range.
A run of one goal in 23 matches for club and country makes perfect sense.
#AlahliUAE pic.twitter.com/yUEylNAS7o
— النـــادي الاهــــلي (@AlAhliClub) November 28, 2016
This was also a rare quiet night for Wasl’s incredible Brazilian, Fabio De Lima.
The forward teed up spurned chances for compatriots Caio – whose later dragged effort at the death floored several of his frustrated team-mates – and Ronaldo Mendes, without ever looking like crafting a repeat of last week’s stunning winner at Emirates Club to continue his goal-per-game ratio this term.
Yet there were no regrets for Arruabarrena.
He said: “We played against a team with much more money and many national team players. But we showed we can compete.”
The final whistle sent the competing hordes into the Dubai night. This timeless rivalry is set to strengthen in the months ahead.
Image by Christopher Whiteoak.
