Al Ahli and Al Shamal played out a goalless draw in Week 9 of the 2021-2022 season QNB Stars League at the Al Wakrah Stadium on Wednesday.

Al Ahli and Al Shamal moved on to six and eight points respectively.

Al Ahli defender Marko Jevtovic made the game’s first worthwhile attempt, in the 11th minute, but his long-range shot flew wide of the post.

Al Shamal launched a counter-attack the next minute and Jeison Escobar was unlucky with his placing shot that kissed the right upright before going out.

The duo of Escobar and captain Bahaa Faisal, who both scored two goals in Al Shamal’s 4-0 win over Al Khor in the previous round, teamed up well and one such move immediately afterwards saw Bahaa head wide a cross from Escobar.

Al Ahli now attacked more and they came close to scoring in the 28th minute, but Abdulrahman Al Harazi’s shot from inside the box cruised narrowly over the bar. Al Harazi had pounced on the rebound off goalkeeper Marwan Sherif, who blocked Jassem Omar’s shot.

Then, after being put through in the 40th minute, Bahaa ran fast with the ball and tried to find a team-mate in front of the goal with a cross from the right. But he was forced to take aim at the goal inches off the goalline, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodriguez pouched the ball.

Al Shamal’s Mohsen Al Yazidi came up with a grounder in first-half injury time, but the ball went wide.

Al Shamal looked better after the start of second half and Nasser Al Nasr tested the Al Ahli goalkeeper with an angular shot that, however, flew wide.

However, Al Ahli soon caught up with their rivals.

After an hour’s play, Al Ahli strengthened their attack by replacing Al Harazi with Hernan Perez.

Al Ahli had a goal disallowed in the 70th minute as Hussein Kanaani was ruled offside and the match headed for a draw.