Al Ittihad goalkeeper Mahmoud Karkar played a blinder to deny Saudi League champions Al Shabab victory after a 1-1 draw in their Group D match at Al Hamdania Stadium.
Al Ittihad took the lead just after the half hour through Ammar Rihawi before Ahmed Ateef leveled the scores midway through the second-half, but Karkar was the outstanding performer with a number of crucial saves to secure a point for his side.
Despite the draw, Al Shabab stay joint top of the group with Iran's Sepahan, who drew with UAE's Al Ain earlier in the day.
Karkar's first contribution came on 11 minutes when he comfortably saved a powerful free kick from Iraq international Nashat Akram.
The Syrian stopper was called into action barely a minute later, tipping Waleed Al Gizani's drive from the edge of the box round a post.
Al Shabab were denied what looked a clear penalty on the half hour when Al Ittihad defender Majd Homsi brought down the lively Naji Majrashi, and five minutes later they found themselves behind, Rihawi curling a superb free kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Mohammad Khojah.
After the break Al Shabab laid seige to Karkar's goal and finally made the pressure pay on 65 minutes, Ahmed Ateef unleashing a rocket from 18 yards which flew into the net.
Their dominance continued in the closing stages but the away side couldn't find a way past the inspired Karkar for a second time.
In the 81st minute, he pulled off a great save to keep out a powerful free-kick from Hassan Maaz and four minutes later somehow managed to claw away Nashat Akram's venemous volley as Al Ittihad hung on for a point.
Despite the draw, Al Shabab stay joint top of the group with Iran's Sepahan, who drew with UAE's Al Ain earlier in the day.
Karkar's first contribution came on 11 minutes when he comfortably saved a powerful free kick from Iraq international Nashat Akram.
The Syrian stopper was called into action barely a minute later, tipping Waleed Al Gizani's drive from the edge of the box round a post.
Al Shabab were denied what looked a clear penalty on the half hour when Al Ittihad defender Majd Homsi brought down the lively Naji Majrashi, and five minutes later they found themselves behind, Rihawi curling a superb free kick beyond the reach of goalkeeper Mohammad Khojah.
After the break Al Shabab laid seige to Karkar's goal and finally made the pressure pay on 65 minutes, Ahmed Ateef unleashing a rocket from 18 yards which flew into the net.
Their dominance continued in the closing stages but the away side couldn't find a way past the inspired Karkar for a second time.
In the 81st minute, he pulled off a great save to keep out a powerful free-kick from Hassan Maaz and four minutes later somehow managed to claw away Nashat Akram's venemous volley as Al Ittihad hung on for a point.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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