Hatta and Shabab Al Ahli shared a 2-2 draw at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium on Saturday in the first leg of the opening round of the 2026-27 ADIB Cup.
Hatta took the lead deep into first-half stoppage time through M. Ben Alarbi, who finished a quick counterattack in the 46th minute with a low shot into the net.
Shabab Al Ahli had controlled more of the possession before the break, recording 62.6% compared with Hatta’s 37.4%, but the hosts were more effective in front of goal and registered two shots on target to Shabab Al Ahli’s one.
The visitors found their equaliser in the 64th minute when Federico Cartabia scored to bring the match level at 1-1.
Hatta regained the lead in the 81st minute after Jorge Filipe Fernandes turned the ball into his own net, putting the home side 2-1 ahead and setting up a tense final period.
Shabab Al Ahli responded quickly. Substitute João Marcelo scored in the 85th minute after a well-worked attacking move to make it 2-2.
Neither side was able to find a winner in the closing minutes, leaving the tie evenly balanced ahead of the return leg.
The result means both teams remain firmly in contention for a place in the next round after an entertaining first-leg contest that produced four goals and late drama.
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