No wins for the UAE sides in the second round of the AFC Champions League group stages

Al Wahda and Sharjah were both held to draws whilst Shabab Al-Ahli suffered defeat in the AFC Champions League group stages.

Al Wahda 0-0 FC Goa

The Red Giants were held to a goalless draw against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

FC Goa maintained their unbeaten start to ACL after claiming their second point on the trot whilst the hosts picked up their first point of the campaign.

Henk ten Cat’s side saw more of the ball in the early period of the game but were not clinical enough to take the lead.

The visitors looked very well organised as Al Wahda struggled to open up the Goa defence. The best chance came from defender Fares Jumaa but his header was saved comfortably by Dheeraj Singh.

Both sides came out for the second half looking much more lively. Brandon Fernandes came the closest but saw his effort rattle the post, after brilliant build-up play from substitute Devendra Murganokar and Jorge Ortiz.

Al Wahda cranked up the pressure in the final minutes and thought they had the winner, but Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj stood tall to deny Omar Khribin.

The Indian side showed determination and fight in the final moments of the game, holding out one of the toughest teams in the competition, with the help of teenage goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh who earned the plaudit for his great performance. The 20-year-old made a number of crucial saves to ensure his side earn a point.

Tractor 0-0 Sharjah

Both sides stay unbeaten in the Champions League group B as Sharjah hit top and Tractor sit in second after two consecutive draws.

The Red Wolves controlled the game in the opening stages, with the first real opportunity falling to Peyman Babaei. The Iranian rose the highest but struggled to get power on his header which made it easy for goalkeeper Adel Al-Hosani.

Emirati star Caio went on a solo run to get himself in the penalty area and played a lovely ball across the goal but there were no takers for Sharjah.

Just before the break, the Brazilian was put through again, this time with more space and time but his effort was straight at goalkeeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari who made a big save.

The second half was more or less the same, with chances at both ends. However, a golden opportunity went begging for the visitors when Khaled Ba Wazir, the match winner in the opening game, couldn’t get his shot on target from close range.

Luan Perraira looked to win it at the death for the King’s but his shot was wide of the post as both sides shared the points.

Shabab Al-Ahli 0-2 Al Hilal

Two teams who picked up draws on the opening day were looking to open their ACL account. However, the Saudi giants looked too strong for UAE side Al Ahli as they sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Al Hilal’s pressure in the opening minutes was rewarded when top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis met Al Burayk’s superb cross from the right to slot in from close range.

The Red Knights were handed an opportunity which was picked up by Igor Jesus but the Brazilian fired his shot wide

The hosts looked to respond after that goal and gained momentum but were left open at the back as Al Hilal made it look easy to score the second.

Another cross by Al Burayk this time to Carrillo who smashed his effort into the corner as the visitors looked to be in control.

A late chance for Al Ahli arrived just before the break but Carlos Eduardo’s header was saved by Abdullah Al-Mayouf.

Rogério Micale’s side were close to adding a third but Hattan Behebri was denied by a great reaction stop from Majed Naser to keep Al Ahli in the game.

It was all Al-Hilal in the second-half who had many chances to seal the victory. Luciano Vietto missed a goal end opportunity from close range to put the game to bed before a double save from Naser, to keep out Gomis.

The reigning champions were deserved winners as they go top of Group A. Meanwhile, Al Ahli suffer their first defeat in 22 games.