This was not a Bur Dubai-derby to savour, rivals Al Nasr and Al Wasl meandering to a goalless Arabian Gulf Cup draw on Friday.
Few excuses could be found for the poor fare. The sandstorm currently enveloping the UAE dropped both humidity and temperature to moderate levels at a dusty Al Maktoum Stadium, while the only notable absentees were Burkina Faso call-up Jonathan Pitroipa for the holders and the Cheetahs’ injured forward Caio Canedo.
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The ambitious hosts are still trying to find their way, slim lone striker Nilmar offering a very-different presence to the burly – and AWOL – Ibrahima Toure. There never looked any threat of him finding another 86th-minute match winner like he did last week against Bani Yas.
A victim of the Blue Wave’s summer shake-up and desire for a greater goal threat watched on from the stands, defensive midfielder Renan Garcia mothballed to make way for forward Jires Kembo Ekoko.
The Brazilian witnessed all-too-fleeting flashes of skill in an instantly-forgettable Group A clash which featured few chances, incessant poor crossing and a late sending off for Wasl skipper Waheed Ismail.
“Today’s game was difficult for two reasons – the weather conditions and the fact Al Wasl were playing with 10 men behind the ball throughout the game,” Blue Wave boss Ivan Jovanovic said. “We totally controlled the game with our possession, we had many chances to score and we also missed that final pass to score.”
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Attacking midfielder Hassan Mohammed spooned over from six yards on 12 minutes after a typically-vibrant step-over and turn of pace by visiting winger Fabio De Lima was followed by a rare perfect centre.
Wasl goalkeeper Rashed Ali then firmly palmed over playmaker Luis Jimenez’s close-range blast just before the hour mark, an inventive flick from Kembo Ekoko bamboozling right-back Yaser Salem allowing space to craft the opening.
The Cheetahs were good value for their point, coach Gabriel Calderon crafting a solid game plan.
He said: “It was a very tactical match. It wasn’t possible for Al Nasr to play to their full potential because we played at a fantastic level.”
The visitors’ resolve, however, threatened to unravel at the death.
Jimenez was correctly adjudged to have simulated contact in the penalty area from Ali, his team then failing to make any further headway despite centre-back Ismail being dismissed for a second booking after industrially chopping down substitute Rashed Mohammad Omar.
