Dubai: Ajman snatched a surprise 1-1 draw against fancied Al Nasr while Emirates played out a goalless draw against Al Dhafra in early matches of the 18th round of the Arabian Gulf League on Saturday.
The Senegal-born striker Ebrahima Toure scored his 12th goal of the Arabian Gulf League well into the second half while Boris Kabi headed in the equaliser in injury time to help split points.
Till that first goal from Toure, the match had very little significance with both teams content with possessional play. The result keeps Al Nasr pegged in fifth with 28 points and within striking distance of the top four teams in search of a place in next year’s AFC Champions League. Ajman, on the other hand, continue their struggle to climb up the standings with 12 points.
The home team was the superior side and should have really been in the lead by at least a couple of goals in the first half but they seemed to be lacking the capacity to go for a final touch on the ball once in front of the goal area. The first bit of action came only in the 17th minute as veteran Moataz Abdullah on the Ajman goal was forced to save off Fahad Hadeed.
Three minutes later, Ajman responded and Boris Kabi put Hamad Al Hossani through only for the striker to sweep his try wide off the target.
The visitors enjoyed territorial advantage early in the second half but the Al Nasr defence stood strong. However, Al Nasr started asserting themselves as the match progressed and after a few more missed opportunities, it was Toure who rose to the occasion with a goal at last.
The move started off from inside the Al Nasr half as Pablo Hernandez fed an unmarked Brett Holman, who in turn switched for an unmarked Toure to side-step a couple of defenders and slam from well outside the penalty area in the 70th minute.
The excitement was far from finished as Ajman fought hard and were rewarded with the equalizer as Kabi darted in to connect a near-perfect cross from the right from substitute Ahmad Mallala deep into injury time.
In the other early match played in Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates Club were held to a goalless draw by travelling Al Dhafra. Al Dhafra continue in ninth place with 21 points, while Emirates climbed one spot into eleventh with 19 points.
