Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor held Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli, the reigning AFC Champions League Elite winner, to a shock 1-1 draw, infohub.kz reports.
The match took place at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah in the first round of the tournament's league phase. Both goals came late: the visitors took the lead in the 86th minute through a precise strike from Brazilian forward Flamarion, but the hosts equalized in stoppage time — Saudi striker Firas Al-Buraikan scoring in the 90+3rd minute.
As a result, both teams earned one point each. They play in the West Conference of the Asian Champions League. From it, as from the East, the top eight clubs after the league phase, which consists of eight rounds, will advance to the playoffs.
Al-Ahli won the AFC Champions League Elite in the previous two seasons. Pakhtakor reached the playoffs in the last edition but immediately lost to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Full results from matchday on September 14 in the Asian Champions League Elite:
Neftchi (Uzbekistan) — Al-Quwa (Iraq). 1:0
Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE) — Tractor (Iran). 1:0
Al-Shamal (Qatar) — Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). 1:1
Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) — Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan). 1:1
Esteghlal (Iran) — Al-Sadd (Qatar). 3:0
Al-Qadsiah (Saudi Arabia) — Al-Wasl (UAE). 2:1