Al Ain settle for draw against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli

Al Ain midfielder Omar Abdulrahman in action against Al Ahli FC goalkeeper Yaser Al Mosailem during AFC Champions League match held at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

A late strike by Al Ahli Saudi broke Al Ain hearts as the AFC Champions League Group C match ended in 2-2 draw at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Tuesday.
Al Ain went ahead early through Ismail Ahmed. The defender, on his return, proved his worth with a nicely booted in goal in the sixth minute. It was a high ball from the deep from midfielder Ahmed Barman to peerless Omar Abdulrahman, who headed to Ismail Ahmed.
Following the goal, Al Ain were a string of crackers that went one after another though without much spark. Caio Lucas, Omar, Danilo Asprilla were constant threat but failed to fire. However, just before the break Al Ahli Saudi equalised through striker Omar Al Soma's header. The Syrian striker towered over all defenders to connect on Taiseer Al Jassam's header.
After the break, both teams hunted but both keepers - Khalid Eisa and Yasser Al Mosailem - were up to the task.
Al Ain made a change with Yousef Ahmed substituting Asprilla. And the striker immediately had a chance to convert but failed to get past Al Mosailem.
In the 72nd minute, Omar found space between two defenders to make a fine cross that whizzed inches away from the right goal post.
With 12 minutes to go, Ibrahim Diaky replaced Mohammed Abdulrahman. In the 82nd minute, the substitute could have converted. Caio passed to Omar, who dribbled past three defenders to set a high cross for Diaky, whose header was superbly parried by keeper Al Mosailem.
'Ainawis' encouraged the players with 'shoot' war cry. And just when it was ending up as one of those unlucky nights, the 'Boss' won a penalty. Al Soma, the goal scorer, handed the ball inside the penalty box. And Omar converted the spot kick in the 84th minute to make it 2-1.
However, in closing stages, Soma made amends. It was in the 89th minute and the Syrian let go a rocket that devastated Al Ain goal and fans heart. 
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com