Doha, Qatar: Al Wakrah and Al Taawoun FC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 first leg tie at Khalifa International Stadium yesterday.
The Qatari side showed plenty of resilience as they twice fought back to hold their Saudi Arabian counterparts to set up a tantalising return leg.
After an even start, it was Al Taawoun who struck the first significant blow when Roger Martinez was brought down in the box by the combined efforts of Hamdy Fathy and Almahdi Ali, allowing Achraf Mahdioui the opportunity to convert from 12 yards out.
The away side went close to doubling their lead shortly after following a surging Sultan Mandash run on the right but Martinez saw his attempt saved by Saoud Al Khater before Musa Barrow’s follow-up was deflected out for a corner kick.
Al Wakrah came out a different side in the second half and pulled level within 10 minutes when Assal ghosted in at the far post to guide Farid Boulaya’s teasing cross past Mailson.
Parity only lasted six minutes as the impressive Martinez danced his way past two markers before the newly-signed Colombian produced an unstoppable low shot that nestled in the bottom corner before Al Khater could react.
Victory, however, was not to be achieved as for the second time, Al Wakrah fought back to equalise as Boulaya once again laid on the assist with a cutback for Gelson Dala to steer home in the 70th minute to set up a tantalising return leg in Buraidah in a week’s time.
