Shabab Al Ahli endure fourth stalemate

Shabab Al Ahli and Dibba players tussle for the ball during their Arabian Gulf League match.

Shabab Al Ahli's troubles continued with the Dubai club enduring their fourth consecutive stalemate in the Arabian Gulf League.
The Al Quasis club had to rally from a goal down to hold Dibba 1-1 at the Rashid Stadium on Saturday night.
Ahmed Ibrahim, who had replaced the injured Ciel in the starting line-up, had given the visitors a shock lead on 12 minutes but Senegalese marksman Makhete Diop was on target on 67 minutes to rescue Shabab Al Ahli and salvage a point.
Shabab Al Ahli have gone four matches without a victory with their last win coming in October, a 4-0 verdict against Emirates at home.
Since then, Cosmin Olaroiu's side have drawn goalless with Sharjah away, goalless to Al Wahda at home, and goalless to defending champions Al Jazira on the road.
And while other clubs continue to make moves on the table, Shabab Al Ahli continue to drop points. They have leaked eight points so far and Shabab Al Ahli are seven points adrift of leaders Al Wasl, and in fifth place.
Shabab Al Ahli have won three, drawn four and suffered one defeat.
Al Ain, Al Wahda and Al Nasr have stolen a march and are above them. If anything, Shabab Al Ahli did manage to score against Dibba after being found wanting in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Dibba are climbing up the ladder, after lying at the bottom, not so long ago. Paulo Comelli's side are placed eighth on the table with nine points. They have won two, drawn three and lost three.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai were without Henrique Luvannor and Khamis Ismail, with the former injured and the Emirati midfielder out through suspension. And that showed.
DIbba didn't take long to find their feet and broke the deadlock on 12 minutes through Ahmed Ibrahim.
The Shabab Al Ahli backline left plenty of spaces and Ahmed Ibrahim took advantage of that fired it past goalkeeper Majed Naser. But Dibba, who had shocked Al Jazira and then beaten Ajman, were to be denied a third win after Diop put Shabab Al Ahli back in the game.
Diop, who had failed to score in the previous three fixtures, latched on to a cross inside the box and sent a screamer past shot stopper Fahd Mohamed, for his seventh goal in the League.
Shabab Al Ahli are away to Al Nasr at the Zabeel Stadium on Nov. 24, while Dibba host Al Ain at the Fujairah Stadium, on Nov. 23.
james@khaleejtimes.com