Al Jazira dropped their first points in this season’s AFC Champions League (ACL) after Abdelaziz Barrada’s brace helped earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Esteghlal.
A third-successive Group A win for the leaders was denied when Iranian defender Hanif Omranzadeh powered in his side’s second header of the night, just past the hourmark.
Coach Walter Zenga’s side had seemed set for an easy night against their struggling opponents when striker Felipe Caicedo laid the ball off to Barrada to slot home from close range in just the seventh minute. But the Iranians, who came into the match without a point, soon levelled after Mohammad Ghazi rose highest to power in an unstoppable header.
An absorbing contest followed, with Barrada grabbing his second after the break with an expertly drilled finish from just inside the box before Omranzadeh struck.
Esteghlal had won just one of their last seven matches, losing their last three, including both their opening Asian ties. And they faced buoyant opponents in Jazira, who had triumphed in both their previous ACL games and edged Al Dhafra on penalties last weekend in their UAE League Cup semi-final.
Zenga’s men seemed set for a routine win at a half-empty Azadi Stadium when Barrada found his 11th goal for the club with a low finish.
This early dominance was not to last as the hosts refused to be dispirited. Instead, Iran international Ghazi profited after getting on the end of the rampaging Khosro Heydari’s cross.
Jazira had to dig in, as their powerful opponents dominated possession.
Frustration at the turn of events threatened to boil over as Caicedo was lucky to escape trouble after a flare up with Omranzadeh. A foray up the pitch also saw Abdulla Qasem denied a spot-kick despite appearing to be barged into inside the box by Hashem Beikzadeh.
The game sparked into life after the interval, with Barrada showing great composure after taking a tricky pass on the run to slot home.
Victory for Jazira would have moved them to within touching distance of securing an ACL last 16 spot for only the second time in the club’s history.
Caicedo thought he had found a late winner, only for his tap-in to be correctly ruled out for offside. A breathless end to the game saw goalkeeper Ali Khaseif keep Jazira in the contest in injury time with a tremendous point-blank save when the unmarked Boubacar Kebe seemed certain to score.
The visitors were then denied a valuable three points when the outstanding Barrada hit a rasping shot that cannoned off the inside of the post, rebounding agonisingly to safety.
