Shabab Al Ahli’s super subs save the day in AFC Champions League

UAE club secure 1-1 draw against Foolad Khouzestan

Shabab's midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi, centre, vies for the ball with Foolad's midfielder Sina Moridi during the AFC Champions League match at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah. AFP

Shabab Al Ahli manager Mahdi Ali was all praise for his super subs Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani after both combined to score an injury-time equaliser for the UAE club and salvage a 1-1 draw against Foolad Khouzestan of Iran in the AFC Champions League on Sunday.

Al Ghassani came off the bench after 88 minutes to set up Cartabia with a pinpoint pass as the Argentine forward scored from inside the six-yard box for their second point in as many games.

Foolad took the lead when Hamid Bouhamdan’s strike deflected off Shabab Al Ahli midfielder Ahmed Noorollahi in the 83rd minute and looked like they had done enough to win all three points before Mahdi Ali’s men struck.

“We put in two players as a striker and one to play behind their defence and I’m happy for both the players to get an assist and score after returning from injury,” manager Ali said.

“But the team did well so this is an effort from everyone. It was a strong and equal game for both teams. There was pressure in the first 10 minutes but we got into the vibe of the game.

“We came into this match to win but we also know they are a strong team. At least we didn’t lose this match so we still have a chance at qualifying,” added Ali.

Foolad manager Javad Nekounam could not hide his disappointment after missing the chance of securing full points.

“We created opportunities successfully but six of our players were up on the field trying to score the second goal,” he said.

“That was a lack of experience and we accept the draw. You cannot make a mistake against a team like Shabab, they will punish you."

After two draws from the opening two matches, the former Iran international is hoping his team will turn a corner in the hotly contested Group C where they trail the leaders Al Gharafa by two points.

“We put in all our efforts to win this game but there are times when we were unlucky,” Nekounam added.

“The team created many opportunities but we didn’t score. There is still a long way to go in the competition so hopefully our players will have more experience in the next matches.”