Al Wakrah, Qatar: Al Wakrah SC twice rallied from behind to draw 2-2 with Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC in a gripping AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 first leg at Khalifa International Stadium. The Qatari side’s grit kept their knockout-stage hopes alive ahead of next week’s decisive return leg in Buraidah. Al Taawoun struck first in the 12th minute when Roger Martinez won a penalty, converted by Achraf Mahdioui. The Saudis threatened again through Sultan Mandash’s electric runs, but Musa Barrow wasted two clear chances. Al Wakrah grew into the game, with Ayoub Assal testing goalkeeper Mailson before nodding home Farid Boulaya’s cross to equalize in the 55th minute. Martinez restored Al Taawoun’s lead six minutes later with a dazzling solo effort, but Al Wakrah responded again as Boulaya set up Gelson Dala’s 70th-minute tap-in. Both sides pushed for a winner late, with Al Wakrah’s Omid Singh firing over and Barrow denied by a last-ditch tackle. The thrilling stalemate sets up a high-stakes rematch, with Al Wakrah’s resilience proving they can challenge Al Taawoun on Saudi soil.