League leaders Al Ain have already started feeling the effect ofà theà absence of striker Asamoah Gyan after drawing 1-1 with second-placed Al Shabab on Wednesday.
It was Al Ain's first game without the Ghana international who suffered a hamstring injury the last time he featured and scored in the 4-0 win over Emirates last Friday.
Argentine Ignacio Scocco put Al Ainà aheadà through a spot kick in the 6th minute but the homesters pulled even with a Julio Cesar's striker also from a spot kick in the 58th minute.
The top of the table clash failed to draw the expected crowd since there wasà an exhibition match being played between AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain at nearby Al Ahli.
Nevertheless, Al Ain still occupy top spot in the UAE Pro League with 24 points, five more than closestà contenderà Al Shabab.