<div>Istiklol produced a good defensive performance, keeping Al Hilal at bay in the first half but the deadlock was finally broken by Salman Al Faraj minutes into the second period.</div><div><br></div><div>The result leaves Al Hilal with nine points, five ahead of Qatar’s Al Rayyan and Sharjah of UAE, while Istiklol remain without a point.</div>
<div>Bernard’s sublime free-kick separated the sides going into the break before N'zonzi ensured Al Rayyan walked away with a share of the points after scoring from close range.<br><br>The result leaves the teams on four points at the halfway stage, with both having much to do if they are to advance to the Round of 16. </div>
<div>The two teams had met on Matchday Three 12 months ago, with Al Sadd winning 3-1 on the night before adding a second win a few days later, meaning Al Wehdat came into Friday’s game in pursuit of their first win against Qatari opponents in the competition.</div>