Argentina icon Diego Maradona was denied a winning start in the UAE Division One League as Jordan midfielder Ahmed Samir’s second-half penalty earned Al Orouba a 1-1 stalemate at ambitious Fujairah.

The controversial World Cup 1986 champion looked set for a winning return to league management in his first post since being sacked by Al Wasl in July 2012 after winger Mohammed Khalfan clumsily turned in a cross during the 26th minute at a sparsely populated Fujairah Stadium on the east coast.

The goal was met with wild celebration in the Wolves dugout, Maradona being lifted up and high fives being shared with the scorer.

But a second goal would not arrive for a club determined to gain another spell in the Arabian Gulf League, following their previous tenure between 2014-16.

It was then left for Al Jazeera loanee Samir to hold his nerve and slot in from 12 yards to earn a draw.

Photos courtesy of Fujairah.