ABU DHABI: Al Ain FC left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in their AFC Champions League EliteS 2024/25 opener at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.

Akram Affif gave Al Sadd the lead in the closing stages of the first half, before Matias Palacios equalised for AFC Champions LeagueS 2023/24 winners Al Ain in the 80th minute for a share of the points.

Both sides wasted early chances with Al Sadd’s Akram Afif pulling his shot wide in the third minute, while Al Ain’s Soufiane Rahimi miscued a volley two minutes later.

Al Ain threatened again in the 11th minute when Rahimi beat the offside trap, only for his shot to bounce off the left post before he was denied again by Al Sadd keeper Meshaal Barsham in the 21st minute.

Al Sadd started the second half on the front foot with Paulo Otavio setting up Rafael Mujica, who pulled his effort just wide, while Al Ain played in patches, with Fabio Cardoso, Kodjo Laba Kaku Romero all missing their chances.

The Qatar champions came close to doub
ling their advantage in the 64th minute after Otavio opened up play on the left before teeing up Mujica, whose effort bounced off the bar.

With 10 minutes remaining, Al Ain equalised through Palacios, whose initial effort was blocked before the Argentine midfielder struck a long range shot which took a deflection before settling into the back of the net.

Source: Emirates News Agency