{
  "id": 15365390,
  "title": "Al Ain stunned by Shabab Al Ahli as historic 38-game unbeaten run comes to an end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/al-ain-stunned-by-shabab-al-ahli-as-historic-38-game-unbeaten-run",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T06:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/10/18/al-ain-stunned-by-shabab-al-ahli-as-historic-38-game-unbeaten-run-comes-to-an-end/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Al Ain's historic 38-game unbeaten run in the UAE Pro League came to an end with a 2-0 loss to title rivals Shabab Al Ahli. The match marked the first defeat for the team since March 2025, after a 567-day streak without a league loss. Coach Vladimir Ivic expressed pride in his team's unbeaten record, but criticized their defending after conceding goals. Shabab Al Ahli secured victory with goals from Sardar Azmoun and Kauan Santos, taking second place in the table. Ivic acknowledged his team's poor performance and urged them to focus on the upcoming match, where they will face Shabab Al Ahli again in the President's Cup. Shabab Al Ahli manager Andre Jardine praised his team's adherence to the game plan and emphasized the importance of maintaining their level against Al Ain, a strong rival for the title.",
  "summary": "Vladimir Ivic said he was proud of Al Ain's record UAE Pro League 38-game unbeaten run but was highly critical of his side's defending after a 2-0 loss to title rivals Shabab Al Ahli saw them beaten for the first time in 19 months. Al Ain had not tasted a league defeat since a 3-2 loss to Dibba on March 29, 2025, some 567 days before Saturday's setback. In that time, Ivic had led the team through…",
  "key_points": [
    "Al Ain ends 38-game unbeaten streak with 2-0 loss to Shabab Al Ahli",
    "Shabab Al Ahli wins with goals from Azmoun and Santos",
    "Coach Vladimir Ivic criticizes defending after defeat"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Shabab Al Ahli's decisive victory disrupts the league's dominant hierarchy and provides the title challengers with the psychological momentum needed to challenge Al Ain's long-standing supremacy.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Al Ain stunned by Shabab Al Ahli as historic 38-game unbeaten run comes to an end",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/al-ain-stunned-by-shabab-al-ahli-as-historic-38-game-unbeaten-run-15366301",
        "published": "2026-10-18T06:42:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}