Al Shamal and Al Arabi played out a goalless draw in Week 12 of the 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Bayt Stadium on Wednesday.

Al Shamal started the match on the offensive, with Omid Ebrahimi having his right-footed shot from the centre of the box blocked after Ali Olwan had connected him with a header in the second minute.

Five minutes later, Ricardo Gomes’ shot was calmly saved by Al Arabi goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail.

Al Arabi started getting their grooves as the match wore on and Mohammed Taabouni almost got them the opening goal in the 22nd minute, had it not been for an offside on the Dutch professional.

Al Arabi’s Abdullah Marafi had to be taken off in the 37th minute after suffering an injury and Yousef Muftah replaced him.

Despite several attempts on both sides, their fortunes remained unchanged as the first half came to an end.

A more determined Al Arabi appeared from the dugout for the second half and Yousef Msakni seemed to have given them the lead after heading home in the 49th minute, assisted by Taabouni following a set piece situation, but the goal was eventually overturned after a VAR check.

Msakni had another attempt at goal in the 64th minute, but his right-footed shot from the centre of the box proved no difficulty for goalkeeper Abdullah El Rady to save.

Al Shamal’s Younes El Hannach also had his right-footed shot from the centre of the box saved in the 83rd minute before Jeison Murillo missed a header that could have potentially been a goal from the centre of the box seconds later.

Despite late attempts from both sides, the deadlock remained.