Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Two-time AFC Cup champions Al Faisaly came from behind twice to earn a hard-fought 2-2 home draw against Syria’s Al Wahda at Amman International Stadium in the opening matchday of the 2018 AFC Cup Group C.
The visitors opened the scoring just seven minutes in when Al Faisaly defender Anas Bani Yaseen failed to clear Burhan Sahyooni’ cross from the left wing, allowing striker Bassel Moustafa to receive the ball inside the box and calmly finish past goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaiba.
Al Faisaly had to wait until the final 20 minutes to get their equaliser after Lukasz Gikiewicz took advantage of a tussle inside the penalty box to pounce on the loose ball and pass it into the empty net.
Moustafa restored Al Wahda’s lead 10 minutes from time after he dispossessed defender Salem Al Ajalin and sprayed a pass to Mohammad Hamadkou out on the right flank before running into the box to meet his teammate’s cross with a first-time finish.
The Syrians joy was short-lived as the home side responded instantly from the kick-off. Substitute Ahmed Hayel’s through pass found Gikiewicz marauding down the left and the Polish striker squared for Yousef Al Rawashdeh who swept home a second equaliser for Al Faisaly.
A trip to Lebanon awaits Al Faisaly who face Al Ansar in Matchday Two while Al Wahda play hosts to Oman’s Dhofar.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_faisaly__v_al_wahda_2-_afc_cup_2018.html
