Omar Khribin’s 95th-minute equaliser denied Al-Ahli top spot in the Arabian Gulf League as struggling Al Dhafra recorded a deserved 2-2 draw in Madinat Zayed.
A Moussa Sow double looked to have given the visiting Red Knights three points, which would have sent them above Al Ain on goal difference following their shock 3-2 loss at Sharjah 24-hours earlier.
Majed Hassan’s own goal and Syria international Khribin’s late intervention though saw them, temporarily at least, escape the AGL relegation zone, while the Boss remain in charge at the top, two points ahead of Ahli.
It was a well-earned point for the Western Knights, who should have led at half-time, but Machete Diop’s fine header was ruled out for a phantom infringement.
When Senegal international Sow opened the scoring with an emphatic header from Abdulaziz Sanqour’s delicious delivery after four minutes it looked like Alhi might romp to victory, but Mohamad Kwid’s men put up a spirited fightback.
After their captain’s goal was chalked off, they deservedly leveled in the 36th minute when Ahmed Ali’s free-kick forced Hassan to nod past his own goalkeeper, Majed Nasser.
After that the game could have gone either way, although there was a distinct lack of quality from either team in the second period. Nasser almost got himself in trouble from Walid Abbas’ back-pass and Abdulla Sultan tipped Ahmed Khalil’s fierce drive over.
Sow nodded in his second with 13 minutes remaining, the impressive Abdulla hopelessly at sea when coming to collect a corner.
Much maligned following a stuttering start compared to fellow summer arrival Rodrigo Lima, Sow has been impressive in the Brazilian’s absence.
Ahli confirmed earlier this week that Lima’s knee injury will sideline him for the rest of the AGL season, making Sow’s belated return to form all the more welcome.
The €16m (Dh63.6m) signing from Fenerbahce now has eight goals in 14 AGL games and nine in his last eight in all competitions.
Delight turned to despair at the death, however, Khribin steering home after Adil Hermach’s flicked effort was excellently saved by Nasser.
