After enduring 88 minutes of frustration, Ali Ferydoon levelled for Al Rayyan after Jorge Ortiz had given the hosts the lead in the third minute.

It meant Al Rayyan avoided a fourth defeat in five matches and Frenchman Blanc said it was an important result for his team after a disappointing campaign.

The late leveller was a huge blow for debutants FC Goa, who had looked like they were heading for a historic first win for an Indian club in the group stage of the continental showpiece after Jorge Ortiz had given them an early lead.

Slovenian forward Matavz netted with less than five minutes on the clock to earn Henk ten Cate’s side their third win of the campaign and move them on to 10 points from five games, two behind Persepolis, who still lead the group.

Victory over FC Goa in their final game on Thursday could be enough to take the club from Abu Dhabi into the next phase either as group winners – if Persepolis lose to Qatar’s Al Rayyan – or as one of the three best runners-up finishers from the West zone.

Istiklol threw the group wide open after beating 2019 champions Al Hilal SFC 4-1 on Matchday Four, with the Tajik club taking top spot from the Saudi Pro League champions on goal difference with both teams on seven points.

Shabab Al Ahli are also still in the running after playing their best football of their 2021 campaign to beat AGMK FC 3-1 on Matchday Four, placing them third in the standings on four points.

Al Hilal lost their spot at the top of the group after suffering an amazing 4-1 defeat to FC Istiklol on Matchday Four, with the Tajikistan taking pole position on a better head-to-head record with the Saudi Pro League side with both on seven points.

AGMK may be bottom of the group with four points but are still very much in the running going into the final two Matchdays.

Al Ahli Saudi and Esteghlal are on seven points, one behind leaders Al Duhail SC, and neither can afford to drop any at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Only top spot is assured of a place in the Round of 16 and both will be desperate to stay within reach of Qatar's Al Duhail, who play winless Al Shorta of Iraq earlier on Tuesday.

With challengers Esteghlal FC and Al Ahli Saudi FC facing off in Group C's other tie with both needing victory, a win for Qatar's Al Duhail against Al Shorta will take them to 11 points and closer to the automatic slot to the Round of 16.

Esteghlal and Al Ahli Saudi are tied on seven points while Al Shorta are still in search of their first after four defeats.