AFC
Dubai
Qatar’s Al Rayyan held UAE’s Al Wasl FC 1-1 as the latter missed an opportunity to book their AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 knockout stage berth at the Zabeel Stadium on Monday.
The result takes Al Wasl up to 11 points with Al Rayyan - on five - still in the hunt.
Al Wasl made the early runnings with Nicolas Gimenez testing Paulo Vitor’s handling after only four minutes of play with a curling low shot from outside the box which the Al Rayyan keeper managed to secure firmly.
The home side thought they had gone ahead in the 24th minute when Fabio Lima nodded in Gimenez’s free-kick but the goal was overruled after a VAR check with the UAE international having pushed Achraf Bencharki in the buildup.
Al Rayyan had Vitor to thank in the 31st minute, the Brazilian producing a stunning reflex save to block Haris Seferovic’s close range flick following a Gimenez low cross as Al Wasl continued to knock on the door.
Vitor again came to the rescue of the Qatari side in first half stoppage time, diving to his left to push away Gimenez’s effort before Seferovic blasted the rebound over the bar.
The second half was a more balanced affair with Al Rayyan able to restrict Al Wasl and offer better protection to Vitor, albeit without giving home goalkeeper Khaled Al Senani too much work.
While not as frequently as in the first half, Al Wasl were still forcing Vitor into saves with Gimenez and then substitute Caio Canedo, working the 37-year-old custodian.
Al Wasl’s positive play was finally rewarded in the 77th minute when Jonatas Santos’ surging run on the right culminated with a cutback for Canedo to sweep home from the centre of the box to give the home side the lead.
A determined Al Rayyan increased their tempo and their perseverance eventually paid off in the 85th minute when Bencharki’s cross was turned into his own net by Salem Al Azeezi.
When the competition resumes in February, Al Wasl will meet Saudi Arabia Al Nassr Club with Al Rayyan taking on UAE’ Al Ain FC.