DUBAI // Cosmin Olaroiu had aired grievances about a congested fixtures list, and Al Ahli’s limp performance at the Rashid Stadium seemed to highlight his concerns.
Ahli's coach had used the pre-match press briefing to question a schedule that imposed upon his team a second Arabian Gulf League match in less than 72 hours, and against Ajman on Monday the UAE title-holders certainly struggled to live up to their status as league champions.
Ahli struck a post and spurned a number of half-chances, but they lacked invention throughout the match, missing the spark that Ciel typically provided last season when his teammates needed it most. With the Brazilian sidelined until the closing months of this season, Ahli are actively pursuing a replacement.
After their fourth match of the 2014/15 season, the club may seek to quicken their search. The Ajman stalemate means that Ahli have yet to register victory from two home fixtures so far in this campaign.
Understandably, Olaroiu’s pre-match mood had not entirely lifted by the time he had to deconstruct his side’s latest stumble, although the Romanian was keen to urge caution.
“Of course, it’s important to win at home, and the way we lost points against Al Shabab and Ajman, when we had both games in our hands, is not good,” Olaroiu said. “But the league is long and we have to continue to play our best, earn as many points as we can.
"This draw doesn't mean we've fallen down in the league. There will still be surprises. Sometimes you need a little bit of fantasy, but today we didn't have it."
For Fathi Al Jabal, the Ajman coach, a point earned had a certain fairy-tale quality.
His team have managed only two draws from their opening four fixtures, but that does not tell the whole story. Thus far, Ajman have faced Al Jazira, Al Ain and Ahli: the three sides expected to be in contention for the title come the end of the season.
“We managed to get one point, and one point on Ahli’s pitch is like we won the match,” Al Jabal said.
“We may have just two points, but we’ve played difficult teams so we’ve done well. Earning points at a stadium like Ahli’s is especially pleasing.”
Al Dhafra 3, Al Jazira 3
Makhete Diop’s penalty in the second minute of added time gave Al Dhafra a 3-3 draw with visitors Al Jazira on Monday.
Two goals by Mirko Vucinic gave Jazira a 3-2 lead in the 79th minute, but Mussalem Fayez handled a ball in the box to set up Diop's strike. Youssef Kaddioui, the Moroccan who joined Dhafra this week, scored their first two goals. Jazira levelled at 1-1 in the 65th minute on a free-kick from midfielder Khamis Esmail.
Dhafra have drawn all four of their matches, while Jazira missed a chance to move top of the table.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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