Shabab Al Ahli grab late 2-2 draw with Al Ain

Ahmed Khalil netted a late equaliser to guide Shabab Al Ahli to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Al Ain in their first Group A match at the Arabian Gulf Cup at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday.

Al Ain found themselves 1-0 up after they were awarded a penalty for a foul against Jamal Ibrahim only six minutes into the game.

Togolese forward Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba converted from the spot into the bottom right corner of the net to open his scoring account with Al Ain and put the Boss in front.

Four minutes after the restart, Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba missed a chance to double Al Ain’s lead as his attempt was blocked by Shabab Al Ahli defender Mohammed Marzooq.

Shabab Al Ahli pushed forward hoping to score an equalizer in the second half. Just after the one-hour mark, Henrique Luvannor fired a powerful effort from outside the box that went inches over the bar.

Shabab Al Ahli leveled the scoreline 20 minutes into the second half, thanks to a stunning Henrique Luvannor goal. Marzooq headed the ball to the 29-year-old forward inside the box who smashed home an incredible scissor kick goal.

The drama intensified only 10 minutes from full time, when substitute Mohsen Abdallah was awarded a penalty and Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba converted from the spot to added his second of the night and regain Al Ain’s lead.

As the Boss looked to be headed for a win, Shabab Al Ahli were awarded a penalty deep into injury time that was converted into the back of the net by Ahmed Khalil.

Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli now sit in third and fourth place on one point each, while Al Jazira and Al Nasr top the group on three points after beating Ittihad Kalba and Khor Fakkan, respectively.