Al Nasr rally to salvage draw against Kalba in Pro League season opener

Al Nasr came from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Kalba at the Al Maktoum Stadium in an entertaining start to their Adnoc Pro League campaign.

Kalba looked firmly in control after striking twice inside the opening 20 minutes, but Al Nasr responded after the break to turn the momentum of the contest and ensure the points were shared.

The visitors needed just seven minutes to score the first goal of the new ADNOC Pro League season.

A well-worked move opened up space for Carlos Alberto down the right, and his delivery across goal found Nemanja Jovic at the far post, where the forward made no mistake from close range.

Kalba’s bright start was rewarded again just 13 minutes later.

Saman Ghoddos stepped up from the penalty spot and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to double the visitors’ advantage and leave Al Nasr with an early mountain to climb.

Trailing 2-0, Al Nasr needed a response and produced one after the interval as they began to apply greater pressure on the Kalba defence.

Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute.

Abdoulaye Toure timed his movement into the area perfectly to meet Wesley Delgado’s cross, directing his header into the net and cutting the deficit to one.

The goal changed the complexion of the contest, giving Al Nasr renewed belief as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Al Nasr’s second-half pressure was eventually rewarded with a penalty, giving Chris Bedia the opportunity to complete the comeback.

Bedia kept his composure from 12 yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-2 and complete an impressive recovery from the hosts.

Kalba’s clinical opening had put them in a commanding position, but Al Nasr’s second-half response proved decisive as both sides began their ADNOC Pro League campaigns with a point.

Kalba controlled the early stages with two goals inside 20 minutes, but the balance shifted after the break. Toure’s 64th-minute header provided the spark Al Nasr needed before Bedia’s penalty completed the comeback, turning what had looked like an opening-day defeat into a valuable point.

Meanwhile, with clubs setting their sights on the 2026–27 Pro League title, some of the most notable records achieved by previous champions are once again in the spotlight, including the highest points tally recorded by a title-winning team in a single season.

Among the standout figures is the highest points total achieved by a title-winning team in a single Pro League season, a record currently shared by Al Ain and Al Jazira.

Both clubs have reached 68 points on their way to becoming champions.

Al Jazira first set the benchmark during their dominant 2016–17 campaign, before Al Ain matched the record in 2025–26, with both sides demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout their title-winning seasons.

Al Wasl came just one point short of the record when they collected 67 points on their way to the 2023–24 championship.

Shabab Al Ahli sit next on the list with 66 points from their title-winning 2015–16 campaign, while Al Ain feature for a second time after collecting 65 points when they were crowned champions in 2021–22.

With the new title has begun, the 68-point mark once again provides a benchmark for the contenders. Reaching 69 points would establish a new record for the highest total achieved by a Pro League champion.

The competition’s record books feature several outstanding scoring campaigns, but one figure continues to stand above the rest.

Al Ain hold the record for the most goals scored by a team in a single Pro League season, having found the net 74 times during the 2012–13 campaign.

The remarkable tally remains unmatched and reflects the attacking power Al Ain displayed throughout that season.

Shabab Al Ahli came within one goal of equalling the record when they scored 73 times during the 2023–24 campaign, placing them second on the all-time single-season list.