|
Al Ain: Mishal Abdul Wahab's opportunism earned him a hat-trick as his team Sharjah rallied twice to finish with a 3-3 draw against hosts Al Ain in the First Division Football League match played late on Saturday.
The draw ensured Sharjah remain in the hunt for the title with 29 points from 17 games, behind Al Shabab (33) and Al Jazira (31). Al Ain are on 25 points and in sixth position in the 12-team pack.
In an error-ridden encounter, Al Ain looked to be cruising with a 2-0 lead by the 13th minute before Sharjah made it 2-2 by the 50th minute. Al Ain forged ahead again in the 64th minute but Mishal, who had also scored the first two goals, was in the right spot to tap home his third in the 70th minute.
A brilliant half-volley on the run by Osman Jallo gave Al Ain the lead in the 7th minute and five minutes later Faris Juma headed home a Subait Khater flag, the Sharjah defence giving him all the space to do the damage.
Al Ain, who were looking to join the title chase with a win, will be ruing their poor defence as they wobbled and sank when faced with set-piece situations. A free-kick by Mohammad Shuja'a was only partially cleared by a Humaid Fakher header and Mishal Abdul Wahab beat Moataz Abdullah to the ball to head home Sharjah's opening goal.
It was another free-kick, this time by Nawaf Mubarak which was palmed away by Moataz but the ball hit the far post and bounced into the path of Mishal, who slotted home the equaliser.
Finishing touches
After Soufiene Alloudi missed a chance for Al Ain, the home supporters were up and cheering when Jallo scored another fine goal, this time putting the finishing touches to a pass from the left in the 64th minute.
Six minutes later, Nawaf Mubarak floated another free-kick into the box and Saeed Al Kass, one of the UAE's best headers of the ball, nodded but Moataz again got his hand to the ball. But Mishal, who seemed to choose the right spot to be in, was on hand to complete his hat-trick and keep Sharjah within striking distance of the top two.
|
