Al Kuwait had taken the lead late in the first half when Khaled Ajab fired home but Milad Zanopour dragged his side level shortly after the hour mark.

Al Kuwait were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when Al Taher was dismissed but they held firm for a share of the spoils.

Saipa started positively and came close to taking the lead in the third minute when Mohammad Javad's cross was headed towards goal by Sayed Jalal Hosseini but goalkeeper Khaled Al Fadhi made a comfortable save.

Malian midfielder Issa Traore flashed a header wide in the 28th minute for the Iranian side but it was the hosts who grabbed the lead soon after when Ajab slid a shot beyond goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi.

Al Kuwait had a great chance to extend their lead further just before the hour mark when Jarrah Al Ataiqi's shot went just wide.

But it was always going to be difficult to keep Saipa at bay and they drew level in the 66th minute when Ebrahim Sadeghisenjani played a free-kick for Milad Zanipour who fired home from distance.

Al Kuwait did not drop their heads and could have gone ahead again soon after when Walied Ali was denied by Ahmadi.

But there hopes of a second were dealt a blow when they were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute as Al Taher was shown his second yellow card.

Saipa failed to take advantage in the closing stages as Al Kuwait stayed resolute to earn a point.