Bahrain's Ali Madan scored a last minute goal to overshadow star striker Kodjo Laba's fine first hat-trick as Al Orooba fought back valiantly for an entertaining 3-3 draw against mighty Al Ain in an early game of the fifth round of ADNOC Pro League, on Thursday.
Laba had scored top-drawer first half hat-trick to put the former 13-time champions on track for their fifth win in a row. Fresh from their 4-1 thrashing of debutants Ittihad Kalba last week, Al Ain seemed to continue with their rich form with ‘August Player of the Month’ Laba waiting patiently for his first goal a minute away from the half-hour mark.
Laba then scored his second goal in the 38th minute before completing a well-deserved hat-trick from the penalty spot, just two minutes from the half-time whistle.
Down, but not out, the home side fought back as Al Orooba’s Bahraini player Ali Madan pulled one back from the spot in the 59th minute, while substitute Saeed Obaid diverted in a ball from Kingsley Eduwo in the 68th minute to bring the match alive.
Just when it looked like Al Ain were set for full points for a fifth time this season, Madan once again turned poacher as he netted his second goal of the night to deny the former champions full points.
Laba’s hat-trick, the first of the season, moved him to the top of the goal scoring chart with nine goals to his name. Sharjah’s Ben Malango and Joao of Al Wahda distantly lie in second place with four goals each.
This was Al Orooba's third draw on the trot for their three points, while the one point earned by Al Ain helped them maintain the top spot of the standings with 13 points.
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