Shabab Al Ahli fought back to salvage a crucial point following a 3-3 draw with Kuwait SC in their AFC Champions League Two 2024/24 Group D tie on Wednesday.
The stalemate took the UAE side to seven points, two behind pacesetters Al Hussein SC of Jordan but three ahead of third-placed PFC Nasaf, with only the top two teams to advance to the knockout stage. Kuwait SC moved up to two points.
Shabab Al Ahli’s persistence was rewarded in the 34th minute after Azmoun created space for Mateusao, who set up Federico Cartabia to finish past Kuwait SC keeper Kameel Marzouq.
Kuwait SC responded in the 38th minute after El Fattah crossed the ball into the box off a set-piece situation to Arsane Zola, who struck with a textbook header into the back of the net.
The goal spurred Kuwait SC as they struck again in the 42nd minute after Khenissi nodded the ball on for Mohamed Marhoon to finish with a diving header at the near post.
Shabab Al Ahli came back fighting in the second half but missed a host of chances with Santos and Mateusao seeing their efforts foiled, while Azmoun’s long range attempt was saved by Marzouq.
Substitute Guilherme Bala then made an immediate impact for Shabab Al Ahli, equalising with a fine strike from inside a packed box in the 66th minute, the goal coming just two minutes after he had been sent on.
Kuwait SC, however, retook the lead in the 71st minute after El Fatta finished off a fine team move following a fast break.
Shabab Al Ahli refused to give in and levelled the tie for the second time after Cartabia curled in his free-kick in the second minute of stoppage time for his side to take home a share of the spoils.