Al Wakrah bounced back with an added-time penalty strike to draw 2-2 against a fighting Al Shamal in the concluding Week 2 match of 2023-2024 season Expo Stars League at the Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday.

While Ali Olwan (34th minute) and Ricardo Gomes (80th minute penalty) scored for Al Shamal, substitute Jacinto Dala (48th minute) and Mohamed Benyettou (90+3 minute penalty) did so for The Blue Wave.

Twice ahead in the game, Al Shamal put paid to their hard work conceding a penalty in the third minute of the added 12 injury minutes to the match as Benyettou made no mistake from the spot to ensure a creditable finish for Al Wakrah.

Al Wakrah’s substitute Omar Ali was held in front of the goal and the referee, after a VAR, signalled to the spot.

Al Shamal too were beneficiaries of a spot kick earlier when their substitute Majed Mohammed was brought down inside the penalty area by Al Wakrah captain Lucas Mendes. Tall forward Gomes took a forceful kick, which rose to hit the top centre of the net.

The final half-an-hour of the match produced many exciting moments as both teams pushed hard to score and eventually got results.

Earlier in the first half, Al Shamal’s Olwan latched on to a great chance after Al Wakrah’s Omair Abdullah rushed out of the box and the ball bounced over him. Olwan went past the ‘keeper to get to the ball and score.

Al Wakrah then equalized with a fine goal from Dala, who came in to replace Mohammed Hassan just a minute ago. The Angolan midfielder put the ball into the left corner after a superb through cross from Ayoub Assal from the right.

Both teams had some close moments in the match. Al Shamal’s Gomes in the 41st minute saw his header go just past the left post and later in the 75th minute saw it miss again after bouncing off his head.

For Al Wakrah, Assal’s charge to score in the 55th minute was countered by an advancing Al Shamal goalkeeper Babacar Seck.

Few minutes later, Al Wakrah’s Khalid Munir had a good chance too, but his kick was well negotiated by Seck.

This was Al Shamal’s second draw of the league having been held 1-1 by Al Arabi in the opening week, while Al Wakrah had beaten Muaither 3-0.