First point during Zenga's reign as Bani Yas' title challenge is dented

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  • Walter Zenga will be satisfied with his first point in the hotseat.

    A glimmer of hope for Al Shaab cast fresh doubt on Bani Yas’ ability to compete at the top end of the Arabian Gulf League as the sides played out a low-octane 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

    The result was a landmark for visiting boss Walter Zenga, who saw his bottom-placed troops gain a first point at the seventh time of asking under his control.

    The Commandos remain a gigantic 10 points from safety with 12 games remaining. Yet with the new foreign trio of Brazilian forwards Ze Eduardo and Marcos De Santana plus Uzbekistan centre-back Shavkatjon Mulladjanov performing adequately on debut, hints of a belated upturn are apparent.

    This game was dispiriting for the hosts at Bani Yas Stadium. A talented team barely creaked into second gear, the sole highlight Algeria forward Ishak Belfodil’s delicately-dispatched seventh top-flight goal since his summer move from Parma.

    The likes of Al Wasl and Al Wahda could soon move out of view in the quest for the top-four finish which would guarantee Asian qualification.

    Boss Luis Garcia had earned credit during a festive period which saw a victory against vaunted Al Ahli and a draw against the aforementioned Clarets. But this leisurely display against the AGL’s most welcoming opponents harked back to the awful run from October-December which saw one victory in 10 in all competitions.

    A first half of little incident gained its sole highlight on 32 minutes as Bani Yas went in front, with their foreign trio of Dutch winger Royston Drenthe, Australia midfielder Mark Milligan and Belfodil combining to lethal effect.

    Milligan’s calm use of the ball played Drenthe into space, the ex-Real Madrid star’s cross being expertly glanced on its way over goalkeeper Ismail Rabee’s head and into the top corner.

    Rather than build on this momentum, the Sky Blues ceded it to Shaab. After a weak penalty call for French forward Michael N’Dri went unanswered, a stroke of luck sent them level.

    Well-travelled January signing Ze Eduardo – who counts Santos and Genoa among 21 former clubs – shanked a volley from a throw-in straight into the path of substitute Mohamed Salem. The midfielder made the most of his good fortune, sidefooting high into the goal to spark scenes of joy.

    Garcia’s touchline angst was almost calmed at the death, only for midfielder Fawaz Awana to head over from close range. He must hope these dropped points don’t come back to hurt him.

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