Despite usurping Al Wasl following their 2-1 defeat at Bani Yas 24 hours earlier, the Clarets seemed devoid of energy and ideas in a dour encounter.
Head coach Javier Aguirre admitted he was concerned by his side’s lifeless performance, but not surprised.
“It’s normal when the league is coming to the end that all teams are playing for something. Fujairah lost last night and that gave some energy to Emirates,” said Aguirre who praised the battling Falcons but conceded it was a missed opportunity for his side.
“Maybe we were comfortable with Al Wasl’s result, but from this point forward there will be these types of games,” he added.
“Not too many chances or good play, but everyone’s looking for one point here or there.
“We didn’t play good, like we normally do. Emirates defended very well. We tried hard to find a solution but we couldn’t score. We didn’t win a point, we lost two.”
An opportunity missed for the hosts, but certainly a point gained for the visitors. Paulo Comelli saw his side go four points clear of second-bottom Fujairah with the draw and he believes they can beat the drop.
“We have played some good games in the second round of the season and we have been fighting, I trust my players to stay in the league,” said the Brazilian. “Now we are a little bit further away from the bottom.”
Thank god that's over. That was painful. 0-0 it finishes. A truly awful game. Wahda go 3rd but Javier Aguirre won't have enjoyed the method
— Matt Jones (@MattJones360) April 9, 2016
It had been a terrific start to April for Wahda who beat Al Shabab 1-0 eight days earlier to pick up their maiden Arabian Gulf Cup title.
Foreign stars Jorge Valdivia and Denilson had combined for the winning goal in that game. The former Arsenal man was the one Wahda player who looked capable of breaking the deadlock but the Clarets looked shorn of any craft with their South American magician absent following his harsh red card in that final.
A lifeless atmosphere at Al Nahyan Stadium was only disturbed minutes before the break when 21-goal man Tagliabue collected a needless yellow card for taking out Emirates’ left-back Alhasan Saleh.
It infuriated his fiery Mexican coach Aguirre, who lashed out, punching a hole in the plastic panelling of the home dugout. His was the most passionate outburst in a truly dismal game.
Aguirre sent on Sultain Saif and Amer Omar at the break and his men were slightly improved, but could not penetrate the resolute white wall in their way.
Denilson swept an effort just wide but Garcia had the best chance, flashing a drive inches past Al Hosani’s top corner following the Brazilian’s slip.
