Dubai: Khalfan Mubarak curled in a beauty of a free kick four minutes from the end to help Al Jazira to a 5-4 win over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, while Al Wahda picked up full points with a 6-2 thrashing of debutants Kalba in late matches of the opening round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), on Friday.
Trailing 1-3 after the opening 22 minutes it was UAE striker Ali Mabkhout inspiring a fightback from The Pride of Abu Dhabi with three goals and put them in the driver’s seat. But, the home side draw back on level terms in the 76th minute from the penalty spot following a first-ever decision from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Just when it looked that the match was headed for a draw, Mubarak curled in a left-footed beauty to hand a deserving 5-4 win and full points to the visitors.
The match had got off to an amazing start with the home side opening the score in the very first minute with Jaimen Ayovi tapping in a Henrique Luvannor pass. The visitors drew level in the 16th minute when Ernest Asante chipped over an advancing Majid Nasser following a dainty pass from Khalfan Mubarak.
But three minutes later Shabab Al Ahli Dubai reclaimed the lead as Emiliano Vecchio accepted a quick nudge from Ayovi and hammered home. Ayovi made it 3-1 in the 22nd minute after receiving a through ball from Mauro Diaz.
But, Al Jazira came roaring back with Mabkhout combining well with new recruit Leonardo Pereira to put things on equal terms at 3-3 at half-time. The second half was equally entertaining with Mabkhout completing his hat-trick with a sweet strike in the 50th minute.
But the home side got a lifeline after being awarded a penalty following a consultation with VAR. Luvannor duly dispatched the spot kick to make it 4-4. However, Mubarak had other plans on the night as his sweet 86th minute curler gave Nasser no chance at all.
RESULTS
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai x Al Jazira 4-5
Al Wahda x Ittihad Kalba 6-2
