Shabab Al Ahli produced a stunning second-half display to come from behind and claim a commanding 5-1 victory over Khorfakkan in their ADNOC Pro League opener at Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qassimi Stadium on Saturday.
Khorfakkan took a first-half lead through Aylton Filipe, but Shabab Al Ahli responded with five unanswered goals after the break, with Saeid Ezatolahi scoring twice before Yuri Cesar, Sardar Azmoun and Rikelme Hernandes Rocha completed the turnaround.
Khorfakkan broke the deadlock after 25 minutes with an impressive combination between Ahmed Barman and Filipe.
Barman picked out the unmarked Filipe with a brilliant through-ball into the area, and the forward controlled it superbly with his chest before firing a volley into the back of the net.
The goal gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage to protect, but the complexion of the contest changed dramatically after the interval.
Shabab Al Ahli found their equaliser three minutes before the hour mark.
Ezatolahi timed his run into the area perfectly to meet a cross with a first-time half-volley, giving the goalkeeper little chance and bringing the visitors level.
Khorfakkan then suffered another setback in the 61st minute when first-choice goalkeeper Ahmed Hamdan Alhosani was forced off through injury, with Rashid Abdalla Suhail replacing him.
The substitute goalkeeper was immediately called into action and produced a huge moment in the 74th minute, brilliantly denying Yuri Cesar from the penalty spot to keep the scores level.
But Khorfakkan's resistance lasted only five more minutes.
The second penalty turned the match. Shabab Al Ahli were awarded another penalty in the 79th minute, and this time Ezatolahi took responsibility.
The midfielder made no mistake, sending Suhail the wrong way to complete his brace and put Shabab Al Ahli ahead for the first time.
That goal opened the floodgates. Yuri Cesar made amends for his earlier penalty miss six minutes from time when Mateus Henrique Silva squared the ball into his path, allowing Cesar to finish clinically and extend the advantage to 3-1.
Late flourish completed five-star display. Shabab Al Ahli were not finished. Sardar Azmoun played a key role in starting the move for the fourth goal before continuing his run into the area. Kauan Santos Silva picked him out and Azmoun applied an excellent finish in the 87th minute.
The visitors then added a fifth from a cleverly worked corner.
Kauan caught the Khorfakkan defence out with a low delivery towards the unmarked Rikelme, who produced a sublime first-time strike to leave the goalkeeper rooted to the spot and round off an emphatic victory.
Khorfakkan's first-half organisation and Filipe's superb opener had put the hosts in control, but Shabab Al Ahli completely transformed the contest after the break. Ezatolahi's equaliser shifted the momentum before his second goal opened the door to a ruthless late spell, with three further goals turning a tight contest into a statement 5-1 opening-day victory.
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