A fine header from Abdulla Al Yazidi saw Al Sadd score a fighting 1-1 draw against hosts Al Wasl in the 2024-2025 season AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 first-leg match played at the Zabeel Stadium in Dubai on Monday.

Al Wasl were off to a flying start as their captain Ali Saleh scored after snatching possession from Al Sadd’s Mohamed Camara in the third minute of the match.

Al Sadd rallied from there on and came close to finding the equalizer in third minute of added time of opening half but Rafa Mujica’s volleyed kick hit the hands of the goalkeeper and then the crossbar to fly over, much to the dismay of The Wolves.

Al Sadd, however, hit back in the 68th minute as Akram produced a fine lob from the left outside of the box for a waiting Al Yazidi to make a perfect header.

The result leaves both leaving sides with a chance to make it to the quarterfinals.

Al Wasl had more chances when a slip from Ahmed Suhail nearly increased their lead six minutes in the game as Joao Pedro raced through on goal but the Al Sadd defence was able to recover to block the Brazilian’s effort from the edge of the box.

After the break, Al Wasl probed for another early goal and nearly found one in the 48th minute when Pedro’s shot on the half-turn looked to be heading for the back of the net but Youcef Atal intervened on the line.

That was to prove costly as Afif, peripheral for much of the game, turned up when most needed, delivering a perfect cross to the far post in the 68th minute for substitute Al Yazidi to thump home a header for the equalizer.

Al Wasl were a width of the crossbar away from taking a lead when Saleh’s corner kick found Fabio de Lima unmarked but the latter saw his header crash against the frame of the goal as both sides settled for the draw.

Both sides will now meet in the return leg at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in a week’s time with a place in the quarterfinals still up for grabs.