Denilson netted late as Al Dhafra and Shabab Al Ahli played out a 1-1 draw at Rashid Stadium on Friday in the first leg of the Arabian Gulf Cup playoff round held under the slogan “commit to win”.

Shabab Al Ahli wasted a chance to get an early lead, when Ismael Al Hammadi lobbed the ball over Al Dhafra keeper Khalid Al Senani but it went wide just four minutes into the game.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, Brazilian forward Denilson missed an opportunity put his side 1-0 ahead after the ball fell to him following a defensive blunder. The 25-year-old went one-on-one with the keeper but ended up sending the ball over the bar.

Ten minutes before halftime, Al Hammadi missed another goalscoring chance as his shot hit the woodwork. The hosts continued to look more dangerous in front of the goal but were unable to find the back of the net as the first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

Just after the restart, the home side missed an opportunity to take the lead, as Ahmed Al Attas, who was in front of the goal, found Heldon’s pass but ended up sending the ball wide.  

It was only 10 minutes later when Shabab Al Ahli took the lead. The hosts were awarded a penalty following a foul by Mohamed Saif against Federico Cartabia, who stepped up to the spot and fired into the bottom corner of the net.

Al Dhafra made a late comeback as they levelled the scoreline only three minutes from time. A perfect pass from veteran forward Saeed Al Kathiri found Denilson inside the box as he calmly slotted home to make it 1-1.

KHORFAKKAN DEFEAT AL AIN: Khorfakkan got their Arabian Gulf Cup campaign off to a flying start, as they defeated Al Ain 4-2 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Friday in the first leg of the playoff round.

The Boss had a golden chance to take the lead just 10 minutes into the game when they awarded a penalty for a foul inside the box. Wilson Eduardo stepped up to the spot, but his shot went wide of the net.  

Al Ain had another penalty appeal for a handball against Ivorian Kouame Autonne turned down just before the half-hour mark.

Autonne was once again in the heart of action when he gave his side the lead in the 34th minute. The Ivorian defender found Bruno Lamas’ freekick inside the box and calmly headed the ball into the back of the net to put Khorfakkan 1-0 up.

Just went it looked that Khorfakkan would be taking a 1-0 lead into the break, Al Ain made a comeback during injury time, as Rafael Pereira headed the ball into Mohamed Abdulrahman’s path inside the box,  and the latter made no mistake as he fired past Khorfakkan keeper Mohamed Yousif with a deft first touch to level the scoreline just before the break.

Khorfakkan couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half as they scored two quick-fire goals just two minutes after the restart. Brazilian forward Antonio Valmor dribbled past Al Ain defense before scoring from just outside the back to regain Khorfakkan’s lead. Less than a minute later, the guests further extended their lead through second half substitute Omar Jumaa who sprinted inside the box before slotting home to make it 3-1.

Al Ain had a number of opportunities to reduce the deficit but chances from Wislon Eduardo couldn’t find the back of the net. They, however, made it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go, when Mohamed Shaker headed the ball down into Rafael Pereira’s path, and the Brazilian defender slotted home.

Khorfakkan’s response came around 10 minutes later, when second half sub Ramon Lopes headed home off Lamas corner-kick to make it 4-2 for the guests. However, in the end, the game ended with a 4-2 win for Khorfakkan.  The second leg is scheduled to be held on Nov.13.

FUJAIRAH WIN: Waleed Al Yamahi’s own goal was the difference as Ajman fell to a 1-0 defeat against Fujairah at Fujairah Stadium in the first leg of the Arabian Gulf Cup playoff round on Thursday.

Much against the run of play, the Wolves broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through an own goal by Al Yamahi. Farley Rosa released Khalil Khamis up the left wing and the winger sent a low cross to Mohamed Firas, whose shot crept into the back of the net after it got deflected off the keeper and Al Tamimi.

Ajman will be aiming to turn things around when they host Fujairah at Rashid Bin Saeed Stadium in the second leg on Nov.12.