Al Ain and Ajman battled to a goalless stalemate at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday in matchweek 25 of the ADNOC Pro League.
Despite flashes of attacking promise late in the game, neither side was able to find the back of the net in a match that will be remembered more for its missed opportunities than its moments of brilliance.
With the draw, Al Ain remain in fifth place on 41 points, continuing their pursuit of a higher league finish, while Ajman climb to 10th spot with 28 points, inching further away from the relegation zone.
The first half offered little in terms of excitement or attacking threat, as both sides appeared cautious and lacked the creative spark needed to break the deadlock.
Al Ain, playing at home, struggled to assert dominance in midfield, while Ajman remained compact and disciplined in defense, showing little ambition going forward.
Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the opening 45 minutes, and the crowd at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium had little to cheer about.
The tempo of the match improved marginally in the second half, with both teams gradually pushing forward in search of a breakthrough.
The game's first genuine chance came in the 70th minute when Al Ain's midfielder Matias Palacios stepped up to take a free-kick from just outside the area.
His well-struck, curling effort looked destined for the top corner, but Ajman goalkeeper Ali Al Hosani produced a superb diving save to deny him and keep the scores level.
Al Ain thought they had finally found the winner in stoppage time when Mateo Sanabria latched onto a loose ball inside the box and buried it into the net from close range.
The home fans erupted in celebration, but the joy was short-lived.
The referee, after a brief consultation with the VAR, ruled the goal out for offside, much to the frustration of Al Ain’s bench and supporters.
In the end, both teams were forced to settle for a single point, a result that reflects their evenly matched performance on the night.
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