Ali Ferydoon struck in the 89th minute as Qatar's Al Rayyan salvaged a 1-1 draw with India's FC Goa in Group E of the AFC Champions League on Monday.

The late leveller was a huge blow for debutants FC Goa, who had looked like they were heading for a historic first win for an Indian club in the group stage of the continental showpiece after Jorge Ortiz had given them an early lead.

Both teams came into the tie with a point to prove after failing to secure a win in their previous four matches but it was FC Goa who showed more determination from the start.

Brandon Fernandes sent a deep cross from the centre to Ortiz whose effort was blocked by Al Rayyan goalkeeper Soud Alhajri. The Spanish midfielder, however, regained possession from Alhajris poor clearance and slotted the ball home from close range to give FC Goa the lead just three minutes in.

Al Rayyan tried to force their way back into the game, Mohamed Al Aaeldin finding Naif Al Hadhrami lurking inside the box but the midfielders attempt was foiled by FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh in the 30th minute.

Al Rayyans persistence almost paid off in the 37th minute when Khalid Muftah muscled his way into the box but Dheeraj Sigh denied the defender at the near post before stopping Yohan Bolis free-kick three minutes later.

Ishan Pandita came close to doubling FC Goas advantage in first half added time when his effort from distance almost caught Soud Alhajri off guard as Al Rayyan were left trailing 1-0 going into the break.

Abdulrahman Al Korbi could have equalised for Al Rayyan seven minutes into the restart but his tame effort from inside the box was easily dealt with by Dheeraj Singh.

Al Rayyan increased the intensity of their attacks and captain Yaccine Brahimi should have done better in the 53rd minute when he failed to find the target from inside the box off Mowafak Awads pass.

FC Goas best chance of the second half came in the 72nd minute when substitute Romeo Fernandes teed up Glan Martins at the top of the box but the defender blasted his effort over the bar.

The missed chance was to prove costly for FC Goa as Al Rayyan equalised in the 89th minute when Ferydoon steered the ball into the back of the net from close range after a fumble by Dheeraj Singh.

FC Goa will play UAE's Al Wahda FSCC in their final group match on Thursday while Al Rayyan will aim to end their campaign with a win against Iran's Persepolis FC.

(QNA)