Turning point: A metallic missile hurled from the crowd after referee Hamad Al Shaikh Hashmi did not blow for a penalty kick after Al Ahli substitute Adnan Al Beloushi seemed to have been brought down by Al Ain’s Mohammad Salem inside the area as he went in to receive a pass from Luis Jimenez.
Reality show: Video replays showed that the Al Ain defender had gone for the ball and managed to toe it out of reach of Al Beloushi, who in turn ran straight into the opponent and fell.
Bizarre moment: When the metallic object from the crowd hit assistant referee Mohammad Al Jallaf Al Muhairi. The light blue object hit the assistant on his head and medical staff from Al Ain rushed to treat him and bandage his head.
Moment of madness: Referee Hamad Al Shaikh Hashmi stunned one and all when he took a few minutes to consult match officials before blowing the whistle to signal the end of the Al Ahli-Al Ain match even though there were two minutes of injury time to be played.
Tight-lipped: Both coaches refrained from making any comments on the incidents during the mandatory post-match meetings with media. Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu said: “I am not here to comment on the referee’s performance.” Al Ahli coach Quique Flores-Sanchez too kept away by saying: “The referee is the boss on the field.”
