Al Ahli holds Al Hilal to 1-1 draw in 1st leg of Asian semis

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Last year's finalist Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in the first leg of their Asian Champions Leaguesemifinal on Tuesday, with both goals being scored by Brazilians.

Lima put Al Ahli in front with a 56th-minute header and Al Hilal missed its first chance to equalize when another Brazilian, Carlos Eduardo, stepped up to take a penalty but sent his shot against the post.

But Ailton leveled for the home side with a powerful header from a corner in the 83rd minute.

Al Hilal played without another Brazilian, central defender Digao, who was suspended after his second booking of the knockout phase.

"We succeeded in what we wanted to do ... overall it is a positive result," Al Ahli coachCosmin Olaroiu said. "We have one match left back home to prepare for."

The return leg will be played in Dubai on Oct. 20.

The eastern semifinal gets under way on Wednesday when Guangzhou Evergrande of China hosts Gamba Osaka. The second leg is set for Oct. 21.

Al Hilal and Al Ahli all square

Al Hilal and Al Ahli battled it out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.

Al Hilal and Al Ahli battled it out to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night.

Each side enjoyed chances in the opening stanza, with Al Hilal's Ailton Almeida forcing Al Ahli stopper Ahmed Mahmoud to make a good save.

At the other end of the park, Carlos Eduardo's overhead attempt just sailed over the bar as the half ended goalless. 

Lima combined well with Everton Ribeiro to strike first for Al Ahli in the 57th minute. Ribeiro's well-judged free-kick saw the Brazilian head the ball past Khalid Sharahili.

Al Hilal had the opportunity to level matters from the penalty spot after the referee awarded them a bizarre penalty for Khamis picking up the ball while it was still in play. However, Eduardo's attempt hit the post.

But Eduardo would make amends for the miss, as his accurate corner helped Ailton find the back of the net with a powerful header in the 82nd minute to earn a draw.

The United Arab Emirates club will have the advantage due to the away goals rule when the clubs meet again on October 20.