On Monday in Buraida the captain Talal Al Absi’s second-half goal saw Al Taawoun of Saudi Arabia mark their maiden AFC Champions League appearance with a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv in Group A .
The debutants started brightly in front of a packed King Abdullah Stadium but Alassane N’Diaye’s early strike was ruled out for offside, then, after controlling the majority of the first half, Abdulrahman Al Barakah’s effort came back off the woodwork shortly after the interval.
But the home supporters eventually got the goal they craved on 68 minutes as defender Al Absi was at the back post to head home Romanian Lucian Sanmartean’s deep corner from the left to claim all three points as Al Taawoun enjoyed a night to remember.
