Two goals in five second-half minutes brought Al Shabab’s Gulf Club Champions League campaign to life as the Omani side overturned an early deficit to beat Saudi Arabia’s NEOM 3-1 at Al Rustaq Sports Complex on Tuesday.
Dutch striker Pepijn Doesburg scored twice, either side of Al Mutasim al Maqbali’s effort, to secure the hosts’ first points in Group A and provide an immediate response to their opening 3-0 defeat by Qatar’s Al Duhail.
The victory lifted Al Shabab to third place on three points, behind second-placed NEOM on goal difference, and restored their challenge after a difficult start to the competition.
NEOM arrived seeking a second successive win following their 4-0 victory over Yemen’s Shaab Hadramout in the opening round. They made the stronger start, with Greek forward Giorgos Masouras putting the visitors ahead in the 16th minute.
The Saudi side suffered a setback just after the half-hour mark when Valentín Vada was forced off through injury, with Faisal al Ghamdi coming on in his place.
Al Shabab recovered from the early pressure and drew level three minutes before the interval. Awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute, the hosts turned to Doesburg, who converted to send the teams into the break at 1-1.
The decisive spell followed early in the second half. Al Maqbali gave Al Shabab the lead in the 55th minute, shifting the momentum firmly towards the home side.
NEOM responded with a double substitution in the 59th minute, introducing Abdulmalik al Owayyir and Abdulaziz al Othman for Abbas al Hassan and Muhannad al Saad. However, Doesburg struck again a minute later, completing his double and giving Al Shabab a two-goal cushion.
The visitors were unable to find a way back, while Al Shabab continued to pose a threat on the counterattack and protected their advantage until the final whistle.
The result left Al Duhail, NEOM and Al Shabab level on three points immediately after the match, with the Qatari side leading on goal difference ahead of their second-round meeting with Shaab Hadramout.
For Al Shabab, the comeback delivered both a first victory and renewed confidence as they look to build momentum in the remaining group fixtures.
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