AFC Champions League Two - Al Wakrah’s Asbaghi, Al Taawoun’s Abdali confident of advancing

Al Wakrah: Poya Asbaghi of Al Wakrah SC and his Al Taawoun FC counterpart Mohammed Al Abdali are equally confident of progression after their sides battled to a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Qatar’s Al Wakhrah had to come from behind twice to hold Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun with head coach Asbaghi believing his side’s resilience will take them through in next week’s return leg.

#ACLTwo | R16, 1st Leg: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) 2-2 Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

"We performed well despite starting the match nervously. We improved as the match progressed and at half-time, we calmed the players and we were the better side in the second half,” said Asbaghi.

"We had at least two chances to score a decisive goal and achieve victory but that did not happen. We have to build on what we presented in the second half and must believe we can defeat Al Taawoun on their home ground.”

Abdali admitted he wasn’t surprised with the result.

“Given the circumstances, we performed well against a good team. We had little information about them but now, everything is known.

"We know that we have to win the return leg and to do that, we must repeat the mistakes of tonight. In the second half, we retreated a bit, there was a forced change but now things are clearer for us.”

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R16, 1st Leg: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) 2-2 Al Taawoun SC (KSA)

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