Tajikistan's Istiqlol tie Kuwait's Qadsia 2-2 in 2015 AFC Cup

Tajikistan's double winners Istiqlol Fotball Club (FC) tied Kuwait's Qadsia Sporting Club (SC) 2-2 in their AFC Cup Group C match at the Ali Sabah Al Salem Stadium, in Kuwait on Wednesday.

According to the Tajikistan Football Federation (TFF), Qadsia SC started strongly and took the lead in the third minute after midfielder Nuriddin Davronov upended striker Ivan Nagaev in the box and Al Motawaa duly converted the ensuing spot kick.

And the holders nearly doubled their advantage in the sixth minute when Al Motawaa flicked a lovely ball through to striker Abdullahi Shehu but his powerful effort rebounded off the crossbar.

But the Istiqlol FC equalised in the 36th minute when Jalilov emphatically finished from inside the box after being played through by Akhtam Nazarov.

The visitors then took a surprise lead on the stroke of halftime when forward Vasiev coolly side-footed the ball home inside the penalty area after Manuel Bleda's initial effort was blocked by the Qadsia defence.

But the hosts came out fired up after the interval and they equalised in the 53rd minute when Al Motawaa's delightful free-kick from just outside the box clipped the underside of the crossbar and bounced down over the line.

Qadsia SC dominated possession for the remainder of the game but created few clear-cut opportunities as Istiqlol FC held out for a memorable draw. Endi