SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (Interstat) — Substitute Saman Ghoddoos scored twice, including a second-half equalizer, to salvage a 2-2 draw for Kalba SCC against Al Bataeh CSC in an Arabian Gulf League match Saturday at Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium.

The match, played on April 4, 2026, saw both clubs open their league campaigns with a share of the points, leaving each with a record of zero wins, zero losses and one draw across all competitions this season.

The game defied a pre-match projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 1-1 result. Its ELO rating system had given the home side, Al Bataeh, a 57.80 percent probability of securing a victory.

Kalba SCC struck first against the run of play in the 16th minute. Ghoddoos, who entered the match as a substitute, found the net with a right-footed finish to give the visitors an early advantage.

Al Bataeh CSC responded before halftime. Forward Álvaro Felicíssimo leveled the score in the 34th minute, also scoring with his right foot to send the teams into the break tied 1-1.

The home side carried that momentum into the second half and took the lead in the 55th minute. Forward Marwan Fahad put Al Bataeh ahead 2-1 with another right-footed goal, seemingly positioning the hosts for an opening-day victory.

Kalba SCC, however, demonstrated resilience and found a quick response. Just six minutes after falling behind, Ghoddoos struck again in the 61st minute. This time, the substitute used his left foot to beat the goalkeeper and secure his brace, ultimately ensuring the match ended in a stalemate.

The contest grew increasingly tense as it progressed, with all six yellow cards issued in the second half. Al Bataeh defender Ruan Santos received the first booking in the 45th minute. The latter stages saw a flurry of cautions, including two in the 90th minute to Kalba’s Caio Eduardo and Shahriyar Moghanloo, both of whom were substitutes. In second-half stoppage time, Waleed Al Mehrizi of Kalba and Daniel Bessa of Al Bataeh were also shown yellow cards.

Key performances underpinned the result. Beyond Ghoddoos’ decisive two-goal contribution for Kalba, Felicíssimo and Fahad provided the crucial goals for Al Bataeh. The assist chart was distributed widely, with Ruan Santos, Caio Eduardo, Ali Salmin, Daniel Bessa, Waleed Al Mehrizi and Shahriyar Moghanloo each credited with one assist in the contest.

The draw leaves both teams seeking their first win of the Arabian Gulf League season as they move forward in the competition.