Qatar’s Al Gharafa started their campaign on a positive note as they held Iranian club Foolad Khouzestan to a goalless draw in Group C of the 2022 AFC Champions League at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday.

Foolad dominated possession mostly, but a disciplined Al Gharafa defence held on as both teams shared the points.

There were few chances early on as Foolad struggled to craft any decent attempts, with Al Gharafa defending in numbers.

Al Gharafa sorely missed their Malian striker Cheick Diabate. In his absence, Ahmed, Alaaeldin, Muyad Hassan and Homam Al Ameen tried hard, but for a goal.

With Al Gharafa’s backline showing no signs of cracking, Mohammad Abshak tried his luck with a long-range effort that sailed over the bar.

The Iranian side continued to press for an opening goal and Al Gharafa’s goalkeeper Yousef Hassan was called into action to deny Brazilian Luciano Mendes’ tame header from a delightful Vahid Heydarieh cross in the 28th minute.

As half-time approached, Foolad maintained their fluid passing and Abshak had the next best chance only to pull his shot wide inside the penalty box.

Foolad started the second 45 minutes in similar fashion, but Al Gharafa slowly grew into the match with a rare attack.

Homam burst from the wing, but his effort was blocked by Shahab Gordan at the near post after the hour mark.

Foolad were again on the attack with five minutes left on the clock, but Mendes failed to find the back of the net, rattling the bar with a powerful shot after timing his run perfectly inside the box as the teams settled for a draw.

Group C also includes Ahal FC of Turkmenistan and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai of the UAE.