El Jaish Hold Al Ahli to Draw in AFC Champions League

Doha, May 14 (QNA) - Captain Anderson came to El Jaish's rescue as the AFC Champions League debutants denied 2012 finalists Al Ahli a first-leg advantage as Tuesday's last 16 tie ended 1-1 following an entertaining contest at Al Rayyan Stadium. Motaz Al Mosa's header in first-half stoppage time had seemingly put unbeaten Group C winners Al Ahli in pole position for a return to the quarter-finals ahead of next weeks return fixture in Jeddah. But Anderson (Anderson Vieira Martins) capitalised on a defensive mistake from Al Ahli to level the tie for the Group A runners-up, who avoided what would have been only a second defeat of their maiden continental campaign. Al Ahli's chances of claiming a first-leg advantage were dealt a blow after 20 minutes as Oman international striker Amad Al Hosni was forced off with an injury to be eventually replaced by Bader Al Khamees. But that did not stop the visitors creating the first meaningful chance of the contest soon after as Bruno Cesar skipped past two challenges before darting into the El Jaish penalty area only for goalkeeper Ahmed Sofyan to race off his line to save bravely at the feet of the Brazilian midfielder. Al Ahli continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock and El Jaish goalkeeper Sofyan had to be on his toes again five minutes before half-time to push a low drive from Cesar around the post. But Al Ahli were finally rewarded in first-half stoppage time as Al Mosas towering header from Mansour Al Harbis left wing cross found the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the opening 45 minutes. The visitors were forced into another change before the hour mark as goalkeeper Yasser Al Mosailem was stretchered off with a head injury after clashing with El Jaishs Brazilian striker Wagner Ribeiro to be eventually replaced by Abdullah Al Muaiouf following a lengthy delay. And Al Muaiouf was beaten with 14 minutes remaining as Al Ahli failed to clear the danger from inside their own penalty area, and after the ball broke kindly for Anderson, the visiting captain rifled a low angled strike across the face of goal and into the bottom corner to level the tie. (QNA)