Al Ain missed the chance to move top of the ADNOC Pro League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Wasl in matchweek three on Saturday.
The Boss controlled possession for much of the first half and created the better openings, but it was Al Wasl who struck first after the break through Sergio Pereira, before Laba Kodjo levelled matters for Al Ain just before the hour-mark.
Al Ain set the early tempo and came close within two minutes when Matias Palacios met a loose ball with a first-time volley that fizzed narrowly past the post.
The Argentinian midfielder threatened again shortly after, seeing his effort from inside the area superbly saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Ali to ensure the sides went into half-time goalless.
Al Wasl made the breakthrough almost immediately after the restart. Ali Saleh broke free down the left and delivered a low cross into the danger area, where Sergio Pereira arrived unmarked to guide a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Al Ain responded swiftly and were back on level terms just eleven minutes later. Alejandro Romero provided the delivery from wide, finding Laba Kodjo unmarked inside the box, and the striker made no mistake with a clinical low strike into the far corner.
AL Wasl thought they had regained the lead soon after when Matheus Saldanha headed home, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
The result keeps Al Ain in second place on seven points, while Al Wasl sit eighth with four points from their opening three matches.
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