RIYADH — Reigning AFC Young Player of the Year Dostonbek Khamdamov scored twice but a late free kick from veteran Hussain Abdulghani rescued a point for Al-Nasr who salvaged a 3-3 draw against Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in an action-packed Group B opener in the 2016 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
Khamdamov scored either side of a header from Chaker Zouaghi as the Tashkent-based side looked set to make a winning start to their continental campaign in the club’s first competitive game of the season.
The 19-year-old put Bunyodkor in front following a horrendous error by Al-Nasr goalkeeper Abdullah Al Enezi after just three minutes and Zougahi doubled his side’s advantage 30 minutes later.
Adrian Mierzejewski struck from the penalty spot late in the half to pull one back for Al-Nasr, but Khamadmov restored Bunyodkor’s two-goal cushion 15 minutes from time.
A Yahya Al Shehri strike from outside the area five minutes later ensured a nervous end to the game for Sergey Lushchan’s side, and Abdulghani – who passed a late fitness test to start – was the hero for the Riyadh giants, scoring with a fine free kick five minutes from time to ensure the points were shared.
In other late matches Sepahan beats Al-Nassr 2-0 and Zobahan beats Lekhwiya 1-0. — Agencies
