Saudi Arabia’s small-city club Al Taawoun FC stunned Qatar’s Al Duhail SC 2-0 at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on the second day of the 2020 AFC Champions League Group C on Tuesday.
The Saudi Arabian team was looking to build on their opening day win over Sharjah as they hosted 2018 quarter-finalists Al Duhail, who has yet to beat a Saudi team in the AFC Champions League even though the team is comprised of several international professional players.
Al Taawoun has earned six points with two wins in the two matches played so far and puts them in the top of the group.
Veteran Mohammed Al Sahlawi opened the scoring for the hosts in the 34th minute.
The former Al Nassr striker reacted quickly to Amine Lecomte’s spilled ball as the Qatari goalkeeper attempted to save a long-range effort from Abdulmajeed Al Swat.
Al Sahlawi returned the favor for Al Swat in the second half providing the assist for Al Taawoun’s second goal of the night as the winger applied a composed finish past Lecomte to put the hosts’ win beyond doubt in the 54th minute.
Sharjah’s 2-2 draw with Iranian Persepolis in last Tuesday’s fixture means Al Duhail remains in second place with three points, while Persepolis is third on one point, ahead of Sharjah courtesy of away goals.
Al Taawoun will meet Persepolis in an away game on Monday March 2, while Al Duhail will host Sharjah in Doha in two weeks’ time.
