Kuwait SC held to tie by Saipa

Kuwait SC  took the lead despite being on the back foot for much of the opening 45 minutes thanks to an opportunistic strike by Khaled Ajab.

As Saipa sought a reward for their dominance in the first half, it was the hosts who prospered when Ajab outpaced two Iranian defenders to the ball before slotting his left-foot effort past goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi.

The Ali Daei-coached Iran Pro League winners had to wait until the 66th minute before pulling themselves level.

Ebrahim Sadeghisenjani rolled a free kick into the path of Milad Zanipour and he lashed his shot home from 25 yards out. 

Kuwait SC were then forced to play out the final 10 minutes with one player less after defender Yaqoub Al Taher was sent off for a second bookable offence, but they managed to hold on to pick up a point.