These were the tentative first steps from two sides eager to make real inroads during the 2015 AFC Champions League.
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A goalless opening Group B stalemate suits visitors Al Shabab Riyadh slightly more, yet Al Ain will not have departed the lively Hazza bin Zayed Stadium disappointed.
This competition brought so much joy for the hosts in 2014, the run to the semi-finals cementing coach Zlatko Dalic’s reign along with May’s President’s Cup success. Yesterday’s match was tight and absorbing, despite the absence of obvious excitement.
How the Croatian will pine for the return of inspirational playmaker Omar Abdulrahman, who was unable to celebrate the signature of his three-year deal by recovering from a hamstring complaint in time to take to the pitch.
The only chances of the game fell the Boss’ way, a superb block from diligent defensive midfielder Abdulrahman Alkhaibary preventing Ibrahim Diaky from forcing an early lead, while Asamoah Gyan –scorer of 12 continental goals last term – was a constant menace in the air against giant compatriot Mohammed Awal.
Last term’s Saudi King Cup of Champions winners never got started. The choice to restrict Saudi Arabia striker Naif Hazazi to a second-half substitute’s role robbed them of a real threat.
Despite having the better chances, Al Ain were unable to show any real fluidity or truly test the imposing Green Falcons national goalkeeper, Waleed Abdullah.
The draw sets up a tight run between them in a tricky-looking pool that also features Uzbekistan Professional Football League champions Pakhtakor and Naft Tehran.
The latter are up next for the Boss on Tuesday, a trip to the Iranian capital not one to take lightly.
This Al Ain was a world away from the toothless outfit that lost to Fujairah last Thursday in the Arabian Gulf League. Last season’s run to a heartbreaking last-four defeat to Al Hilal has made them streetwise, comfortable in such tight environs.
العين يتعادل مع الشباب السعودي بنتيجة 0 – 0 ضمن الجولة الـ1 من دور المجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال آسيا #alainfc pic.twitter.com/Jsn0gX4hkE
— Al Ain FC (@alainfcae) February 24, 2015
The sense of occasion was added to by Dalic eschewing his usual purple polo shirt for a smart dark blazer and shoes. His troops were well drilled and armed with the knowledge to down their Saudi opponents.
An early lead should have been provided by Diaky. The veteran attacking midfielder was played in by an excellent Lee Myung-joo pass, a moment’s dallying inside the penalty box allowing Alkhaibary to block.
Shabab closed ranks from this point, stalemate ensuing.
Two more opportunities came in quick succession before the break. Gyan used his trademark spring to force Abdullah to push away a goal-bound header, the Ghana captain looking further down the road to recovery after the disruption caused by 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final defeat.
Winger Miroslav Stoch then curled a 25-yard effort just wide of the left-hand post as the Boss ended the first half the stronger.
They were unable to carry the momentum with them after the break. It took until the 79th minute for anything of note to occur, Stoch again shooting from distance.
The cost of defeat was weighing heavily on both coach’s minds, neither prepared to loosen the leashes.
White Lion right-back Hassan Fallatah fired in their only meaningful effort on 81 minutes, the rasping 20-yard shot pushed away uncertainly by Khalid Essa in the Al Ain goal.
Deep into injury-time the sight of Stoch standing over a 25-yard free-kick had Shabab supporters sweating.
His disappointing efforts went high and wayward, neatly encapsulating a meeting that promised so much but delivered little of substance.
