Qatar’s Al Duhail achieved an exciting victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun in the fifth round of their 2022 AFC Champions League campaign in Group D at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah on Friday and progressed to the knockout Round of 16.

Al Duhail topped the group with 12 points (four victories and one loss), while Al Taawoun remained on seven points and in second place.

Al Duhail had lost their opener 1-2 to Al Taawoun, but made a strong comeback by beating Iran’s Sepahan 1-0 in the second round.

The Red Knights then beat Pakhtakor 3-2 and 3-0 in back-to-back matches, in the third and fourth rounds.

Karim Boudiaf (10th minute), Edmilson Junior (58th and 84th-minute penalty), and Almoez Ali (87th minute) scored the goals for Al Duhail, who scripted a come-from-behind victory.

Leandre Tawamba (21st and 36th minutes) and Hassan Al Amri (25th minute) scored for Al Taawoun.

The Red Knights thus avenged for their loss to Al Taawoun in the opener.

Al Duhail will play the next match in the sixth and final round of group stage against Iran’s Sepahan on Tuesday, 26th April, at the King Abdullah Stadium Sport City Stadium in Buraidah.

The top team from each group will qualify for the Round of 16 along with the three best second-placed teams from the five West Asia groups.