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Al Jazira snatch 1-1 draw courtesy Dubai own goal

Al Jazira fought back to claim a face-saving 1-1 draw against Dubai at the Dubai Stadium in Al Aweer on Saturday night.

Mohamed Ali Hussain opened the scoring for the home side before an own goal gave Al Jazira a share of the spoils seven minutes from time in the 23rd round of the Etisalat Pro-League.

The result sees Al Jazira move up into fourth place with 40 points while Dubai having reached the safe waters with 24 points, settle in the 11th position to maintain their Pro-League status for the next season.

Dubai’s Mohamed Ismail had a header saved on the line by Ali Khusaif two minutes after the restart as Rene Marsiglia’s men went in search of an opening goal, and at the other end Matias Delgado and Ali Mabkhout almost combined to put the visitors ahead before the 50-minute mark, and in the 51st minute Sultan Barghash broke free and unleashed a dipping shot that crashed into the crossbar.

Mohamed Ali Hussain scored the opening goal for Dubai. — KT file

In the 57th minute, Mabkhout missed a great chance after being put through by Fernandinho, but the Emirati striker, who was well marked, could only toe-poke his shot just inches of the left post. A minute later Delgado sent a diagonal ball from the right in the direction of Fernandinho but the Brazilian couldn’t direct his shot on target as another Al Jazira chance went begging.

The visiting side were soon made to pay for their missed chances when Dubai took the lead in the 62nd minute. Rami Yaslam controlled cleverly on his chest before setting up substitute Mohamed Ali Hussain to fire home across goal from a tight angle to make it 1-0.

A minute later, Dubai almost caught Al Jazira off-guard from a free kick as Careca’s header flew just wide of the post, and Dubai continued to offer the most threat as the persistent Rami Yaslam escaped several Al Jazira defenders before forcing Ali Khaseif into a low reflex save at the near post.

In the 74th minute, Mabkhout brilliant attempt from just outside the box was equally staved off by the vigilaint Dubai goalkeeper Jamal Abdallah, Al Jazira’s efforts were finally rewarded with the equaliser in the 83rd minute when Mousa’s cross from the left forced an own goal from the Kayed Abdualla, who deflected the ball into his own net with seven minutes remaining.

One minute from time Jamal Abdallah got a hand to Fernandinho’s effort and watched gratefully as it trickled just wide of the far post, and Ali Khaseif had to be alert in the final minute of added time to keep the scores level at a goal each.