Abu Dhabi: Al Shabab’s stunning 4-2 away win against Al Jazira in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Friday night sealed Asian Champions League qualification for the Hawks and saw them leapfrog their opponents into second place.

In the other late evening match in the penultimate round of league matches, Al Wahda’s 1-1 draw with Al Ahli means they remain fourth on 44 points, four behind Al Shabab.

This means Al Wahda will have to win the President’s Cup in June to earn the fourth ACL qualification slot – or rely on a top-three league side winning it.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira’s season – which looked like it could end with AGL title success only a matter of weeks ago – is in danger of unravelling.

Shorn of the AGL’s leading marksman Mirko Vucinic and midfield star Jonathan Pitroipa due to suspension, their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, despite taking an early lead.

Top-scoring Emirati striker Ali Mabkhout put the Pride of Abu Dhabi ahead after nine minutes, but the visitors equalised 10 minutes before half time when Henrique Luvannor’s attempt was turned into his own net by young Al Jazira defender Saif Khalfan.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Al Shabab then took the lead through veteran striker Essa Obaid.

By the 59th minute Al Shabab had opened up a two-goal advantage, as diminutive winger Dawood Ali netted his second league goal of the season.

With the visitors maintaining their lead up until the 90th minute, there was still action to come as two further goals were scored in stoppage time; the first by Al Jazira’s substitute defender Musallem Fayez, cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the second minute of added time to set up a tense finale.

But it was Al Shabab’s substitute and captain, Carlos Villanueva, who allayed the visitors’ nerves by putting victory beyond doubt by making it 4-2 to the team in green in the fourth minute of injury time.

Al Shabab and Al Jazira both have 48 points, but the former’s superior head-to-head record against their rivals gives them a higher placing.

Elsewhere, Al Wahda netted an injury-time equaliser to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Al Ahli at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

The Round 25 result means 2014 AGL champions Al Ahli slip to sixth in the Arabian Gulf League table on 38 points, whilst Al Wahda stay fourth on 44.

There was little in the way of thrilling action until Damian Diaz’s 21st-minute  dipping half-volley, which Al Ahli goalkeeper Majed Naser tipped over the bar.

Two minutes later, at the other end, defender Eissa Santo headed fractionally wide of the far post from Ossama Assaidi’s corner kick, and in the 37th minute Majed Hassan hit a stinging drive from distance over the bar as Al Ahli tightened their grip on the game.

A minute later, Abdul Aziz Haikal found the target from a tight angle but Adel Al Hosani was able to make the save, and despite their chances growing as the half progressed, Al Ahli couldn’t find a way past their visitors before the break.

Just before the hour mark, a long-range shot from Al Wahda’s Sultan Al Ghaferi forced Majed Naser into an acrobatic save, whilst in the 64th minute Habib Al Fardan’s fierce strike was tipped onto the crossbar and behind for a corner by Al Hosani.

Al Ahli continued to press and Al Fardan, Assaidi and young substitute Saeed Jassim – a nominee for the AGL Rookie of the Year award – all had fine chances to score.

With just five minutes of normal time remaining, Al Ahli finally made the breakthrough they had been threatening as the tall Korean, Kwon Kyung Won, rose highest at a corner kick to direct a header goalwards, which the referee and linesman adjudged to have crossed the line before being hacked away by Al Wahda’s defence.

With Al Ahli protecting a 1-0 lead into stoppage time, it was veteran striker Esmail Mattar – on as a half-time substitute – who showed he still has the magic touch with a thumping strike from distance to beat Naser and claim a 1-1 draw at the death.