Al Dhafra, Al Shaab register first point

Makhete Diop's late strike helped Al Dhafra snatch a point.

Al Dhafra and newcomers Al Shaab broke their duck and logged their first point this season in the Arabian Gulf League.
The two bottom-placed teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday night.
Al Dhafra were staring at another defeat and Al Shaab, a first win in the UAE top flight, after the latter had gone ahead through a Mohamed Salem goal on 17 minutes.
But Makhete Diop struck four minutes from time to ensure the Western Knights got a point from their home fixture.
Al Dhafra had lost to defending champions Al Ain 3-1 in their opening fixture at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, and had then gone down to Al Nasr 3-1 at home. In their third game, at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai, Al Dhafra had come close against Al Ahli before eventually losing 2-1.
Meanwhile, Al Shaab were blanked 2-0 by Bani Yas at home at the Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium and then went on to lose 3-0 to Al Fujairah away at the Fujairah Stadium. Al Shaab suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Emirates in their third game.
Al Shaab threatened right from the start and took the lead on 17 minutes through Mohamed Salem, who broke the off-side trap to put it past goalkeeper Abdulla Sultan after being fed by Mansour Albloushi .
The Commandos had a number of opportunities to increase that lead but had to be content with just a one-goal lead, going into half-time.
It stayed that way after the restart and for most of the second half and a first win was on the cards for Al Shaab. But Makhete Diop brought Al Dhafra back into the game with the equaliser, with four minutes left on the clock.
The Senegalese striker nodded home substitute Haddaf Al Ameri's cross. And then, Al Dhafra came close to getting the winner in the five minutes of stoppage time but Ahmed Ali saw his effort sail over the cross bar.
james@khaleejtimes.com