Wuhan Jiangda spurned a chance for an early lead after Video Support review concluded Nataliia Simakina had handled Mavis Owusu’s near-post flick but Ma Jun saw her penalty well saved by Maftuna Jonimqulova.

The hosts were not to be denied in the 20th minute when Tang Han got to a Kim Hye-ri free-kick and her scuffed effort hit Nasaf defender Grace Adams on the way in.

Nasaf grew into the game and were initially awarded a penalty in the 38th minute after Huang Baoying seemingly handled Maftuna Shoyimova’s goal-bound shot but referee Yamashita Yoshimi declared the contact not deliberate after Video Support review.

Despite their improvement, a lapse in concentration from Adams three minutes later almost cost Nasaf another goal. The defender’s back pass was intercepted by Owusu who somehow missed a gaping goalmouth.

The miss reinvigorated Nasaf as they found the equaliser their play deserved in added time after Lyudmila Karachik broke free on the left and squared to the centre for Nilufar Kudratova to sidefoot the ball home.

Both teams went in search of the winner after the interval with Gulzoda Amirova’s shot from long distance saved by Ding Xuan before Ma’s close range attempt bounced off the bar and into the grateful arms of Jonimqulova.

Nasaf had opportunities late on through Karachik and Simakina but both efforts were saved by the alert Ding as the sides settled for a share of the points.

Wuhan Jiangda will next face East Bengal on Thursday with Nasaf squaring off against Bam Khatoon.