Despite a first AFC Champions League win against Sepahan in midweek, Al Nasr’s hopes of playing in next year’s competition are fading after they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Al Shabab.
Three points could easily have been theirs inside the opening 15 minutes at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium but after surviving a first-half onslaught the hosts were much improved in the second 45 minutes, with Ali Al Ameri’s own goal rubbing salt into the wounds of Ivan Jovanovic’s side.
Victory revived the Hawks’ own hopes of Champions League qualification, however faint, an eighth win of the campaign lifting them to 29 points, five behind third-placed Al Wasl.
Nasr could have regained third place from Wasl had they not spurned their early opportunities.
Impressive teenager Jassim Yaqoob saw a shot blocked by defender Ahmed Suliman after just 28 seconds when Brazilian frontman Nilmar robbed Mohammed Marzooq of possession.
Former Al Jazira forward Jonathan Pitroipa was the next to benefit from some shocking home defending, but goalkeeper Hassan Hamza stood tall to block his effort.
Nilmar wasted the best chance, blasting horribly over after collecting a loose ball in the box, as the Blue Wave threatened to wash the Hawks away.
Moldova international Henrique Luvannor spurned the hosts’ best effort. The 25-year-old latched onto Carlos Villanueva’s excellent lofted pass but just as he pulled the trigger, Esam Dhahi interjected with a brilliant block.
Dhahi is injured making the block and is replaced by Masoud Ahmed
— Matt Jones (@MattJones360) March 5, 2016
Dhahi’s bravery saved Nasr but not himself as he was forced off as a result, replaced by Masoud Sulaiman.
Caio Junior’s men were much improved after the break, Al Ameri forced to put past Ahmed Shambieh in the 55th minute after Luvannor headed Azizbek Haydarov’s free-kick across goal.
Ex-Al Ain man Jires Kembo Ekoko fired a ferocious effort just wide while talented 21-year-old Emirati left-back Hussain Abbas’ effort was brilliantly palmed behind by the excellent Hassan Hamza as Nasr pressed.
Substitute Juninho Potiguar really should have sealed the points when he was freed by fellow replacement Dawood Ali following a counter-attack from a Nasr corner, but his effort was poor as he shot straight at Shambieh.
The visitors could have nicked a point at the death but Masoud Sulaiman’s thunderous free-kick was clawed away by Hamza, with defeat meaning they have won just once in their last six league games.
Meanwhile, Al Dhafra picked up a priceless three points with a 3-0 thrashing of Bani Yas.
A second-half brace from Senegal striker Makhete Diop, one an injury time penalty following Yousef Jaber’s dismissal, plus one for Ahmed Ali, saw Mohamad Kwid’s men jump two places to 10th.
