Al Sadd played out a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf in the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League’s sixth and last round (Group B) at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium of Al Sadd club on Monday.

While The Wolves held majority control of the game and also led by a goal for the most part, two late against-the-run-of-play strikes from FC Nasaf in the 83rd and 90th minutes snatched the initiative.

Al Sadd hit back with an equalizer in the added time (90+3 minute) as a limping Baghdad Bounedjah, essaying the captain’s role with Hassan Al Haydous substituted, deflected in a thrilling goal to level the scores again but Al Sadd missed out on a winning goal in the remaining nine-odd minutes of the injury time left.

There arrived a golden chance in the 90+8 minute when Akram Afif sent in the ball from just outside the box but Amin Hazbavi despite a lunging effort couldn’t get to the ball to connect.

The result saw FC Nasaf finish the group as winners with 11 points from three wins, two draws and one loss, while Al Sadd were second best in the group with eight points (better on goal difference) gained from two wins, two draws and two defeats.

Sharjah FC, whom Al Sadd had beaten earlier, were defeated 2-1 by Al Faisaly of Jordan in the simultaneously-played match. Sharjah ended third also on eight points, but had a goal difference of -1 to Al Sadd’s 4 (11 goals for and 7 against). Al Faisaly were fourth with six points – two wins and four losses.

The top side from each group along with three second-placed teams from among the five West Asian groups advance to the Round of 16.

Al Sadd were into the lead in the sixth minute of their clash against FC Nasaf as midfielder Mateus Uribe struck powerfully from well outside the box. The kick threw goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov off balance as he tried to stop it with his hands but the ball still went in.

There on, Al Sadd were relentless in their attacks, but Nasaf did well as they kept the charging Wolves at bay.

In the 65th minute an eye injury to Al Sadd midfielder Tarek Salman saw him being substituted even as Bounedjah pulled up a hamstring. The latter however continued in the match and also produced the 2-2 equalizer for his side.

With Al Sadd a bit slowed down in the latter stage of regular time, Nasaf hit back with a counter offensive and Jambul Jighauri successfully headed in a Sherzod Nasrullayev cross from the centre of the box (1-1).

Nasaf caught the home team off guard once again, seven minutes later, as Jambul Jighauri’s shot from the centre of the box found the target despite an airborne goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham’s best efforts.

Al Sadd’s aim of clinging on to qualification hopes were hit but Bounedjah brilliantly made a left-footed shot into the goal from a headed pass of Boualem Khoukhi to send the home fans up in delight.

With eight plus minutes still left to play, Al Sadd frantically searched for a winner which however remained elusive.