TNN/AFC
Doha
Hosts Al Wakrah came back twice from being a goal down to hold Al Taawoun of Saudi Arabia 2-2 in a thrilling first-leg Round of 16 match of AFC Champions League Two played at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
While Achraf El Mahdioui (14th minute-Penalty), and Roger Martinez (61st minute) struck for Al Taawoun, Ayoub Assal (55th minute) and Jacinto Dala (70th minute) fetched the equalizing goals for Al Wakrah. Farid Boulaya provided assists on both occasions.
The stalemate adds more excitement to the return leg match to be played at the Wolves Park in Buraidah (Saudi Arabia) on February 19.
It was Al Wakrah’s resilience on show in front home fans as they challenged the fancied rivals and almost came close to getting a winner towards the end but for a lack of finish.
Al Taawoun looked for a bright start as they made a charge in the very 4th minute of play but Faycal Fajr drive from the left just missed the left post.
Exchanges followed and soon Al Taawoun won the penalty as Martinez was felled by a back tackle from Hamdy Fathy. Mahdioui took the spot kick and converted 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 gradually grew into the game and started to threaten, particularly through Ayoub Assal who had an attempt saved by Mailson before nodding another wide of the mark.
Al Taawoun continued to look dangerous with the pacy Mandash causing lots of trouble for Al Wakrah down the right and his cross in the 38th minute made its way to the far post but composure eluded Barrow who smashed his shot high over the bar.
Al Wakrah came out rejuvenated in the second half as Assal pulled level within 10 minutes, making a fine jump at the right post to volley in a Farid Boulaya cross, teasing cross past Mailson.
The parity, however, only lasted six minutes as the impressive Martinez forced his way past two markers from the right before making unstoppable low shot that nestled in the bottom corner.
Al Wakrah hit back again and with a stunner as Dala stationed perfectly in front of the small box at the goal was at hand to make the most of a brilliant Boulaya pass, after the latter, weaved past two defenders, to set up a tantalising return leg in Buraidah in a week’s time.
