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Al Wasl hold hosts Bani Yas to a goalless draw

Bani Yas failed to snatch three points and add them to their tally after being held by visitors Al Wasl to a goalless draw in the concluding tie of week 14 of the Etisalat Pro-League Competition played this evening at Al Shamkha Stadium to remain as runner-up with the same difference of points behind leaders Al Jazira. They raised their tally to 29 points while Al Wasl have 20 points that forced them to slip downwards taking 6th position with 21 points.

The hosts were the better side after controlling most parts of the game, creating a number of sitters but they were unlucky to see all their hard work was in vain without scoring off a single chance. But one of the main factors that spoiled all their attempts was the brilliant display and high technical standard demonstrated by Al Wasl's goalkeeper Majid Nasser, the man of the match who saved a handful of opportunities created by the home team players.

 Andre Sangahoor from Senegal was almost to open the score for the hosts after receiving a long pass with only the goal keeper Majid Nasir to beat but his tierce shot missed the target only minutes into the game. He squandered another sitter four minutes later when he jumped high inside the box and headed the ball that switched from the left flank by Yousuf Jabir in front of the goal mouth. His close-range header was saved brilliantly by Al Wasl's custodian. Sangahoor was a constant headache for the visitors' defense and he came close to put his team in the lead in many occasions. The hosts went on putting more pressure on the visiting team's back line, but they lost all the chances that came their way. Yousuf Jabir the hosts left full back sent a strong shot off a stand ball for the goalie Majid Nasser to save bravely in the 34th minute. Another rocket-like volley was launched by Bani Yas's midfielder Fawzi Basheir from Oman was also saved by Majid when he deflected the ball to a corner five minutes later. Al Wasl, who failed to produce even a single attack as the host's defenders stood solid on their way and cleared away all their attempts.

Al Wasl played without their midfielder Yeste from Spain who did not take part in the watch due to injury. The two teams failed to score through the entire first half to finish it with a goalless draw.

The situation remained the same after the break and the first threat in the second session came in the 62nd minute when Haboosh Saleh sent a strong volley which rebounded off Al Wasl goalkeeper's chest for a defender to clear it away.

Bani Yas put more pressure on their rivals' defense line, but the visitors' goalie Majid Nasr produced a lovely display to deprive the hosts to benefit from all their chances. The two coaches made some substitutes in order to raise the level of the technical standard of their teams, but nothing changed. Al Wasl recovered in the last ten minutes, pressed hard, but the efforts they exerted were not enough to make their dreams come true.

Substitute Mustafa Karim from Iraq lost a valuable sitter when he received the ball inside the box, but his close-range shot went wide in the last minute of the game.