I was looking for this match with particular interest.

I have been watching these teams for the last months and I expect to see developments, progress, players developing, teams being more consistent, etc.

Naturally, each team’s starting point was different.

Al Wasl, is currently at 6th in the table whereas Al Nasr has been navigating at the last positions of the table.

Therefore, the expectations were somehow pending to a home win.

Theoretically.

Because derby’s always bring an emotional aspect to the match, and is not unlikely to have the team in worst position at the table to win these matches!

This match wasn’t an exception and you could feel the importance of the Game to be different than other matches, just as the first minutes showed this emotional edge.

Al Wasl presented a stronger team, in comparison with the last match, with some experience in crucial roles, and Al Nasr also presented some changes.

Al Wasl shown their normal formation and dynamics, although with a few influential players that are probably less used to these tactical alternations between offensive and defensive moments. 

Regardless that aspect, the intentions were there, which is the most important.

These changes also impacted the Game positively, once these players added quality to the team, specially at the centre of the field, presenting more stability and fluidity to the home team’s Game.

At the defensive line, a very strong performance from all players, not only at defending moments, but also offensively they were very complete.

Finally, the forward players were able to increase their relational play, more involved with the teams’ different offensive stages and with a great reaction when the ball was lost.

In short, a strong, focus and compact performance from all team (including those that joined the match at half-time or during the 2nd half).

Well done!

Al Nasr presented their normal dynamics as well, with the exception of an attempt to have a slightly higher pressing, specially when they moved from the normal GK+5+4+1 when defending to a GK+4+4+2 on the 2nd half and on their aggressive offensive approach, constantly trying to find the space behind Al Wasl’s defensive line.

An important aspect, that clearly affected the teams’ ability to fight for the result was on the 2nd half, when the referees canceled a goal and, shortly after, Al Wasl scored their 2nd goal.

Was a hard blow on their aspirations for this Game, and they couldn’t understand why it was canceled.

From there, it was a matter of letting the Game roll, with the third goal being only the confirmation of the expected result, by then.

Al Nasr was able to score a goal in the last minute of the match, but their fate was already written.

To summarize, a good intense match with some players presenting their best performances so far and Al Wasl confirming a good reaction to the last Game’s unexpected defeat.

Let’s see how these teams develop in the next matches!

Have you seen the Match?
How did you saw it?

Let’s discuss!