Hosts Al Wakrah came back twice to hold Al Taawoun of Saudi Arabia 2-2 in a thrilling first-leg Round of 16 match of AFC Champions League Two at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

While Achraf Mahdioui (14th minute-penalty) and Roger Martinez (61st minute) struck for Al Taawoun, Ayoub Assal (55th minute) and Jacinto Dala (70th minute) fetched the equalizing goals for Al Wakrah. Farid Boulaya provided assists on both occasions.

The stalemate adds more excitement to the return leg, to be played at the Wolves Park in Buraidah (Saudi Arabia) on February 19.

It was Al Wakrah’s resilience on show in front of home fans as they challenged the fancied rivals and almost came close to getting a winner towards the end but for a lack of finish.

Al Taawoun looked for a bright start as they made a charge in the very fourth minute of play, but Faycal Fajr’s drive from the left just missed the left post.

Exchanges followed and soon Al Taawoun won the penalty as Martinez was felled by a back tackle from Hamdy Fathy. Mahdioui took the spot kick and converted from 12 yards out.

Al Wakrah looked to hit back and came close on a few occasions in the opening half, but scored early in the second as Assal made a fine jump to volley in a superb cross from Boulaya to go past rival goalkeeper Mailson.

The parity, however, only lasted six minutes as the impressive Martinez forced his way past two markers from the right before making unstoppable low shot that nestled in the bottom corner.

Al Wakrah hit back again and with a stunner as Dala stationed perfectly in front of the small box at the goal was at hand to make the most of a brilliant Boulaya pass, after the latter weaved past two defenders to set up a tantalising return leg in Buraidah in a week’s time.