Al Rayyan's Steven N'zonzi fired in a second-half equaliser for the Qatari side to deny Sharjah a second win in the AFC Asian Champions League at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Friday.
Sharjah’s Brazilian forward Bernard was on target on the stroke of half time. It looked like the UAE club had done enough to hold on to their advantage until N’zonzi struck.
The result leaves the teams on four points at the halfway stage and five behind defending champions and leaders Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in Group A.
Sharjah applied the early pressure by coming close to scoring on several occasions in the opening minutes.
Bernard, who scored a goal and assisted another in Sharjah’s 2-1 win against Istiklol of Tajikistan, was in the thick of the action again as he floated the ball into the six-yard-box in the first minute but Rayyan’s keeper Fahad Younis was able to punch it clear.
Sharjah’s pleas for a penalty were unsuccessful in the sixth minute when Ben Malango, who was clear on goal, was outmuscled by the Rayyan defenders inside the box after being fed by Bernard.
Rayyan were struggling to find their rhythm as Bernard had a chance in the ninth minute when he gained possession from just outside the box but his long-range effort was easily saved by Younis.
The Qatari side barely troubled the Sharjah defence with N’zonzi failing to steer Yacine Brahimi’s cross on target just before the half hour, while Brahimi’s effort from inside the box was easily parried away by Sharjah gloveman Adel Al Hosani seven minutes later.
Sharjah’s persistence was finally rewarded when Bernard curled in a beautiful free-kick from 30 yards out past the Rayyan defence with Younis rooted on his line.
Rayyan, however, clawed their way back in the 65th minute when N'zonzi scored off a rebound as Al Hosani failed to hold on to close range header off Yacine Brahimi’s corner.
Meanwhile, Hilal maintained their perfect record in the group after victory over Istiklol 1-0 courtesy of a 52nd minute strike from Salman Al Faraj.
Sharjah meet Rayyan and Hilal play Istiklol in the return legs, both on Tuesday. On Monday, Al Jazira take on Indian Super League champions Mumbai City FC and Shabab Al Ahli clash with Al Gharafa of Qatar.
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6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
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7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
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Business Insights
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Southampton 0
Manchester City 1 (Sterling 16')
Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
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LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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RESULTS
1.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winners: Hyde Park, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
2.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m
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2.45pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
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3.15pm: Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 (TB) Dh575,000 (D) 1,600m
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4.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh64,000 (D) 1,950m
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4.45pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m
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AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
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Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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