Dubai: The chasing pack of teams should be thankful to Al Dhafra after the Western region club threw the title-race at the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) wide open following their 1-1 draw against leaders Al Ain in 19th round action on Friday.

Al Ain had their lead at the top cut down to four points as a result, while Al Jazira managed to keep pace in second following their 2-0 win at home against defending champions Al Ahli late on Thursday. Al Shabab, meanwhile, further consolidated their third place with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bani Yas.

Al Wahda remained in fourth place despite their 0-3 loss to Al Wasl and doing themselves a huge favour and putting themselves as genuine challengers was Al Nasr with a 1-0 away win against Fujairah is Ras Al Khaimah.

Starting without their skipper and star striker Asamoah Gyan, Al Ain looked out of sorts against a purpose-filled opponent. After the home team had taken the lead as early as the 10th minute through a wonder strike from the half-line by Senegalese Makhete Dioup, Al Ain were forced to dig in deep and secure an equaliser only a minute from the hour through Jires Kembo-Ekoko.

Desperately trying to improve their position in the standings, Sharjah struggled with their indifferent form yet again, this time fighting hard for a home 1-1 draw against Emirates Club, Ras Al Khaimah. Sharjah had sealed a 5-2 mauling of Bani Yas the previous week, but on Friday they were once again looking for the same sharpness before goal.

The best result of the round was cellar-placed Kalba securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over second from last Ajman. Kalba earned three valuable points to take their tally to seven, while Ajman remained pegged on 12 points.

Mirko Vucinic and Ali Makbout scored midway through the second half to further confound Al Ahli’s and Cosmin Olaroiu’s problems this season. Vucinic opened the scoring in the 67th minute and Makbout added a second in the 76th minute as Al Jazira played one player short after Basheer Saeed had been red-carded in the last five minutes.

Action in the AGL will continue on March 21-22 with Al Nasr hosting Al Jazira in a match of high consequences, while defending champions Al Ahli will host Al Dhafra in Dubai and Al Ain will make the long trip to Ras Al Khaimah to take on Emirates Club.