Hosts battle for 1-1 result against Saudi’s Al Ahli
IKOLI VICTOR
Doha
Venezuelan defender Rubert Quijada scored a dramatic late equaliser as Gharafa held Al Ahli to a 1-1 draw on Monday, leaving Bulent Uygun's men three points adrift of the Saudi club in Group A of the AFC Champions League.
Aqeel al Sahbi headed the visitors into a 62-minute lead for his first goal of the season. The defender arrived in the box and leapt high to head the ball powerfully past Qasem Burhan from a Salman al Moasher cross.
Gharafa were rewarded for their tenacity and intensity by a late goal from the unlikeliest of sources.
The defender unmarked in the box connected Wesley Sneijder's deft pass with a glancing header that crashed to the bar and the ball rebounded across the face of the goal, Quijada was quickest to react as he rolled the ball into the net in the first minute of added time.
It was an intense match from both teams knowing victory for either side would take it to the top of the group.
Ahli's Mohanad Aseri had the first sight at goal with a low shot destined to the back of the net but for Burhan's fantastic save.
Gharafa had their first shot at goal from Ahmed Alaaeldin's canon shot that deflected for their first corner kick of the game in the 14th minute.
Ahli's incessant pressure almost paid off but for an agonising miss by the striker who with the keeper and post at his mercy headed the ball wide from close range.
The visitors had the better chances in the first period but Burhan kept the scoreline at par with some fine save.
Abdulaziz Hatem's curling shot that sailed an inch wide in the fourth minute of the second half signalled Gharafa's intention to collect the full points.
The away side continued to look frail at the back and was lucky not to fall behind as Moyad Hassan's shot deflected for a corner kick in the 57th minute. But against the run of play, Aqeel al Sahbi broke the deadlock with a thumping header.
With a home defeat staring in the face, Gharafa found salvation when Sneijder's delightful pass found Qujada who tucked the ball from a second attempt in added time.
Results
Al Gharafa 1 (Rubert Quijada 91’) drew with Al Ahli 1 (Aqeel Balghaith 62’)
FC Nasaf 1 (Azizjon Ganiev 62’) bt Al Sadd 0.