This was exactly how a derby should be.
Plentiful supporters, raucous noise, moments of magic, ‘super subs’, befuddling officiating and last-gasp misses detailed a breathless latest chapter of the rivalry between Al Ain and Al Wahda.
That the spoils were eventually shared at 1-1 apiece in this premium Arabian Gulf League-clash was almost incidental to the enjoyment experienced by the near 11,000 people crammed into rickety Al Nahyan Stadium.
They witnessed a fine opener from their Hungary star Balazs Dzsudzsak, before youth product Saeed Al Kathiri rose from the substitute’s bench to nod in the leveller for new employers with his first, golden touch.
Although separated by more than 150 kilometres, the quirks of UAE geography has made this rivalry between last term’s third and second-placed finishers a bitter one.
Still 40 mins to KO, but atmosphere building nicely for derby between #WAHDALive & #alainfc @Sport360 pic.twitter.com/ctZT3ckWFs
— Matt Monaghan (@mattmonaghan360) December 9, 2016
A similar distance was evident as the consistently-inconsistent hosts began with purpose.
Momentum has been an issue all term for Wahda, who had to wait until October for their first triumph. But they ensured they struck when on the up this time, Dzsudzsak cushioning an excellent cross-field ball then lashing low into the opposite corner for a third top-flight goal in 10 matches since his summer switch from Turkey’s Bursaspor.
Beaten 2016 AFC Champions League-finalists Al Ain were struggling to show their class at this stage. An injury to unconvincing striker Douglas on 52 minutes was to provide an avenue back in.
Within seconds of replacement Al Kathiri coming on, he profited from Ali Al Hosani’s flimsy goalkeeping. His header went in from on the line after a combination of the crossbar and UAE centre-back Mohanad Salem failed to issue immediate punishment.
The spectre of suspect refereeing then emerged to add another twist.
Rangy Al Ain centre-back Ismail Ahmed was adjudged to have slapped the youthful Mohammed Abdulbasit during the follow through to a challenge, in a decision which became more perplexing with each replay.
Yet it was the depleted visitors who finished with a flourish.
Winger Mohamed Abdulrahman, Salem and South Korea centre midfielder Lee Myung-joo all left animated coach Zlatko Dalic overcome with frustration as clear chances went begging during a night in which ground was lost to nascent pacesetters Al Jazira and Al Wasl.
