A dramatic affair at Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Stadium saw hosts Khorfakkan emerge 4-2 winners against Bani Yas in matchweek 20 of the ADNOC Pro League on Tuesday.
Khorfakkan needed just six minutes to take the lead when Elierce Barboza’s in-swinging corner was parried by goalkeeper Fahad Al Dhanhani into the path of Aylton Filipe who was left with the simplest of tasks to tap in from point blank for the opener.
Lady luck was not as kind with Barboza in the 28th minute as Gaston Suarez’s side-footed effort following Nicolas Gimenez’s pulled back pass was deflected of the Brazilian to leave his goalkeeper rooted to the spot and nestle into the back of the net for Bani Yas’ equaliser.
A minute later, Bani Yas thought they had a golden chance to score when the referee pointed to the spot, deeming defender Khalifa Mubarak to have handled the ball, but upon VAR review, the decision was overturned.
VAR was called into action again seven minutes before the break as Barboza curled an angled free kick into the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Al Dhanhani in the buildup.
A third VAR ruling in the first half awarded Bani Yas a penalty in the final minute after Mubarak fouled Said Khamis inside the box, and Gimenez stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, handing the visitors the advantage for the first time in the game.
The drama continued after the restart with both Mubarak and VAR involved inside the first 120 seconds.
The Khorfakkan defender was again the offender causing a goal for his team to be ruled out after he fouled Joao Victor in the buildup to the goal.
Khorfakkan captain Dudu restored parity ten minutes into the second half after he snatched the ball from Fawaz Awana in midfield and ran half the length of the pitch to receive the return pass from Ismael Al Hammadi and finish with aplomb from inside the box.
The hosts took the lead in the 73rd minute in a similar fashion after Filipe dispossessed Khamis Al Hammadi and rounded the goalkeeper before applying the finish into the empty net to make it 3-2.
The game was put to bed ten minutes before the final whistle as Barboza curled a free kick into the box that was met by a flying header from defender Abdullah El Refaey for 4-2.
The result means Khorfakkan remain 11th, reaching point number 21 while Bani Yas miss the chance to overtake Shabab Al Ahli, remaining sixth with 28 points.
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