Al Gharafa had taken the lead in the 13th minute though Clemerson de Araujo but Arbil hit back in the second half when Mouslim Mobarak ensured a share of the spoils.

Iraq League defending champions Arbil were the first to have a chance on goal when Mobarak stung the hands of Al Gharafa goalkeeper Abdulaziz Ali with a powerful shot in the eighth minute.

But the visitors had better luck in their first attack when Fahid Al Shammari's pass found Clemerson de Araujo in the box and the Brazilian turned to send a low shot into the bottom of the net.

An expected spell of pressure from the hosts ensued as they pushed forward for an equaliser and the lively Mobarak saw his header go just wide nine minutes before the break.

Ahmed Abd Ali came even closer four minutes before the break when he smashed an effort against the crossbar and striker Ahmad Salah quickly reacted to bicycle kick the rebound against the woodwork before the danger was cleared.

And unsurprisingly Arbil drew level in the 61st minute when substitute Ahmad Salah's pass found Mobarak who headed home.

Clearly buoyed by the goal Arbil pushed forward for a winner but it nearly proved their undoing when Al Gharafa broke quickly to win a corner from which Clemerson de Araujo fed Fahid Al Shammari whose back-heel pass found his elder brother Saad, whose shot rattled against the the crossbar.

Iraq international striker Younis Mahmoud - who scored his country's winning goal in the 2007 Asian Cup final - entered the fray but was unable to produce a winner before the end.