Al Ain's remarkable 38-match unbeaten streak in the UAE Pro League, stretching back 567 days, came to an end on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat to Shabab Al Ahli. Goals from Sardar Azmoun and Kauan Santos sealed the win for Shabab Al Ahli at a packed stadium.
The result marked Al Ain's first league loss since March 29, 2025, when they were beaten by Dibba, and their first defeat in 19 months. Notably, it was also the first time in 32 matches that Al Ain failed to find the net, a statistic that underlines just how dominant and consistent the side had been under manager Vladimir Ivic.
The loss saw Al Ain slip to fourth place in the standings, now level on points with three other clubs chasing the top of the table, while Shabab Al Ahli climbed to second position following their win.
Speaking after the match, Ivic did not hide his frustration with his side's defensive display, calling it "abnormal" and adding that he could not recall his players making such mistakes since he took charge of the club.
The two sides are set to face each other again this Thursday in the last 16 of the President's Cup, giving Al Ain an early chance to respond. The shock result has sent ripples through UAE football circles, reigniting debate over the competitiveness of the Pro League's top tier and putting Shabab Al Ahli firmly back in the title conversation after a strong run of form.