Walter Zenga promised a Brave New World at Al Jazira, but it was the same old story for the Abu Dhabi giants on Wednesday night as the Italian had to settle for a point in his first match in charge.
Jazira had looked on course for a welcome three points when they when into the break at Dubai Club 2-0 up after goals from Ricardo Oliveira and summer recruit Abdelaziz Barrada.
It was a dream start for Zenga, who vowed to restore the glory days at the club during his official unveiling as Jazira's sixth boss in just over two years earlier this week.
But the Italian's hopes of beginning that quest with a victory were dashed in the second period as Jazira's defensive deficiencies, which have been so apparent in the early weeks of the season, once again reared their ugly head.
Substitute Dramane Traore reduced the arrears for the hosts midway through the second period with a close range finish.
Soon after it was 2-2, much to the disgust of Zenga on the touchline, as former Nantes midfielder Gilles Yapi Yapo profited from good work by Traore to squeeze his effort past Ali Khaseif.
A frenetic finale saw chances at both ends as the two teams pushed for a winner but Ali Mabkhout, so deadly for the UAE in recent matches, flashed wide before Khaseif had to be alert to deny Bruno Cesar at the other end.
While moving Jazira up to second place in the table, for the time being anyway, the Pride of Abu Dhabi are now six points behind runaway leaders Al Ahli and having played a game more.
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