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Carlos Munoz controversially sent off as Al Ahli are held to 1-1 draw by Al Ain

Carlos Munoz controversially sent off as Al Ahli are held to 1-1 draw by Al Ain

A flick of Ismail Ahmed's leg could define so much of what is to come in the Arabian Gulf League.

An often dull 1-1 stalemate between champions Al Ahli and Al Ain burst into life past the 90-minute mark. Referee Yaqoub Qaseem Al Hammadi was at the centre of attention, dismissing striker Carlos Munoz for a second yellow card for diving when clearly felled in the penalty box by the UAE defender.

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Al Hammadi's decision saw the Rashid Stadium explode in rebellion, the charge led by amped up Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu. The Romanian lived this high-pressure fixture against his ex-employers on edge, the perplexing call tipping him over and seeing him sent to the stands.

Victory would have been generous for the Red Knights, but it would have meant so much.

A fitful season given a huge boost before the month-long break for the Gulf Cup, another scalp added to that of Al Jazira and huge pressure forced on Zlatko Dalic's Al Ain.

Instead, the shares were spoiled and the controversy will live on.

Opponents Al Ain have been cursed with poor luck heading into the defining fixtures thus far, a side minus Omar Abdulrahman and Asamoah Gyan losing 4-3 to a Mirko Vucinic-fuelled Jazira.

That duo, plus versatile ex-Rennes forward Jires Kembo-Ekoko, could not be nursed into contention.

Pressed on the absences pre-match, Olaroiu retorted it was also a good time to play his side.

This comment was certainly accurate.

Ahli romped to the league crown by 16 points last season, now they stutter.

Their staccato title defence threatened to find its rhythm with the 4-2 victory against Jazira a week ago. But this was followed by Luis Jimenez salvaging a 2-2 draw at Al Dhafra last Thursday in the 97th minute.

Fresh starts degenerating into false dawns. Injury problems of their own have not helped, defensive midfielder Mirel Radoi the latest victim during the warm-up.

Ahli appear a side, who despite enviable depth, are yet to find their feet. Of their new signings, only striker Munoz has been fully integrated.

The Boss took little time in taking a grip of proceedings. Miroslav Stoch's corner was half-cleared, centre-back Mohanad Salem stretching his long limbs to fire in the opener on five minutes.

The visitors were making light of their absentee list. Veteran Helal Saeed using his experience to anchor the side from midfield and the unflappable Lee Myung-joo treasuring possession.

The equaliser came from nowhere. Al Ain have used a number of combinations at centre-back this term without finding the correct solution and Dalic's wait continues.

A straight, lofted ball from Ismail Al Hammadi somehow caused Salem and Ismail Ahmed to lose track of the diminutive Munoz, who nodded home his third goal in his last three AGL matches.

Olaroiu was a generalissimo, barking orders while patrolling the touchline.

This match meant so much, coming against the former employers he lifted two titles with and then left in such acrimony.

His passion did not transmit to Ahli's players. Witnessing the second half was to see an entente cordiale in action.

The fear of losing constricted both combatants. It was the 77th minute before Ibrahim Diaky's shot from the edge of the box even threatened a winner.

Late panic was induced in the Boss ranks by surging left-back Abdelaziz Sanqour, frantic clearances keeping the hosts out.

But the real talking point was still to come.


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