Striker Makhete Diop scored one of the finest goals in Arabian Gulf League history as Al Dhafra held leaders Al Ain to a 1-1 draw last night.

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Diop, 26, rocketed in from the half-way line to give the hosts an 11th-minute lead.

His incredible dipped shot left UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa with no chance, the Senegal international registering his 100th goal for the Western Knights in memorable style.

It took a cruelly-deflected Jires Kembo Ekoko strike to see Al Ain level just before the hour mark. 

The Boss then piled forward in search of a winner to prevent their advantage over Al Jazira being cut to four points, though they came within inches of a damaging defeat when Iraq playmaker Humam Tariq rattled the crossbar in the fifth minute of injury time.

Meanwhile, fifth-placed Al Nasr ended a run of three consecutive top-flight draws thanks to left-back Mahmoud Khamis’ solitary strike at Fujairah.

Khamis, 27, drilled in a trademark free-kick in just the second minute to set the Blue Wave up for victory. 

Striker Ibrahima Toure then squandered a glaring chance to claim his 12th strike of a typically productive AGL campaign when he shot wide from close range, while Khaleil Khameis’ thunderous effort rattled the woodwork for the hosts.

Loanee Marion Silva opened his account for Sharjah as they were held to a 1-1 draw by third-bottom Emirates Club. 

The Falcons took the lead on 71 minutes through Mohamed Malalla Hassan, only for the Atletico Mineiro-owned forward to level soon after.

Shabab pile on the misery for Bani Yas

Pressure is continuing to mount on boss Luis Garcia after third-placed Al Shabab inflicted a fourth-successive Arabian Gulf League defeat on ailing Bani Yas.

 

 

Moldova forward Henrique Luvannor scored the only goal at Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium, finishing from an acute angle on 36 minutes after skipping round goalkeeper Mohsin Al Hashmi.

Spaniard Garcia was a picture of frustration on the touchline after the break, gesticulating wildly with his hands and urging his side to equalise. 

But no leveller was forthcoming, Denis Stracqualursi wasting the best chance with a limp shot from Haboush Saleh’s centre.