Mousa blunder hands Ahli a point

DUBAI // A costly mistake from the Al Nasr goalkeeper, Abdullah Mousa, gave title-chasing Al Ahli a barely-merited point in the Dubai derby. The away team were holding a shock lead — and looked good value for it — with eight minutes left, when their erratic goalkeeper single-handedly undid all the good work. Mousa unnecessarily dribbled the ball to the far extent of his penalty box, daring the opposition forwards to make a challenge. When one, the Ahli substitute Faisal Khalil, successfully bundled the ball off the goalkeeper's shins over the by-line, the home side were granted a corner. Predictably, Ahli scored from it, when their Brazilian midfielder Cesar rose highest to head home. The loss of two points through such a mistake was particularly harsh on Mohammed Omar, Nasr's talismanic striker. Omar, the veteran UAE forward, continues to make a mockery of the ageing process, as he fired Al Nasr into a shock lead over the home side. Omar retired from international football two years ago, and was expected to wend his way quietly off the scene. Yet he has undergone an amazing renaissance, which included a recall to the national team earlier this year. His goal came after three good chances in a minute for Nasr were thwarted by last-ditch defence. The shackles were finally broken when Omar, cannily placed unmarked on the edge of the box, blazed a volley into the top corner. pradley@thenational.ae