DOHA: Al-Ahli goalkeeper Yazan Naeem said his side deserved their late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Iran’s Sepahan in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
Al-Ahli began cautiously but produced a solid first-half display, despite going into the break trailing 2-1, Yazan said.
The hosts returned after halftime with greater confidence and determination, pressing for an equaliser that eventually arrived in the closing stages. Yazan also pointed to a moment of controversy, saying Al-Ahli were denied a penalty after a VAR review.
“Today we played the first leg, which is like the first half of the tie,” Yazan said. “We still have the second leg, which is the second half, and we must approach it with the same intensity we showed today.”
