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Al Ain hold Hangzhou to a goalless draw

Al Ain snatched a valuable point after holding hosts Hangzhou Greentown of China to a goalless draw in the 2011 AFC Champions League third round match played this night at the latters' pitch. Al Ain opened their account with a single point that sees them in the third place with Nagoya Grampus of Japan staying at the bottom of group 6 with the same balance following their 1-1 draw to FC Seoul from South Korea this evening at Nizuho Athletic Stadium in Japan. Seoul raised their tally to 7 points on top of the ladder followed by Hangzhou Greentown in second place on 4 points. But Al Ain and Nagoya have one match at hand as their second round tie was postponed earlier due to environmental circumstances in Japan and will be played on April 12.

AL Ain's Brazilian coach Alexander Galo started the game against the Chinese side with Ismail Rabei as goalkeeper, Musallam Fayez, Faris Juma'a, Ismaeil Ahmad and Mohammad  Salim  in the  defense  line, Ali Al Wihaibi, Ibrahima Kieta, Omar Abdul Rahman, Rami Yaslam and Romanian  Valentine  Badea in the midfield and Brazilian Elias in the front line.

The two teams demonstrated a balanced performance, but most of the work was concentrated at the midfield zone without creating any dangerous attacks. The hosts' team, backed with a big mass of spectators, could not threaten Al Ain's goal after all their weak attempts were spoiled by the defenders. The real threat of the hosts' team came five minutes before the break but they squandered the chance ending the first session with a goalless draw.

Al Ain played brilliantly and could even put more pressure on their rivals' defense. Both teams continued their attempts after the break but could not find the back of the net. Brazilian coach Galo of Al Ain pulled out the Romanian player Valentine Badea and brought in Faisal Ali in the 68th minute as the former failed to prove himself demonstrating a poor display. Omar Abdul Rahman launched a left-footer in the 73rd minute but it was saved by the hosts' custodian. The most dangerous opportunity was squandered by Louis AL Fredo from Honduras when he sent a perfect header from inside the six yard area, but Al Ain's goalie Ismail Rabei saved bravely five minute to time for a corner. Mohamed Salim left full back ran down the left flank after receiving a lovely pass from Elias but he shot into the goalkeeper's hands three minute before the final whistle. Al Ain's striker Abdul Aziz Fayez was brought in to replace Elias one minute later. Things remained the same in the last minutes including the stoppage-time to end the game with a goalless draw.