CHENGDU, China, July 18 (AFP) - A last-gasp equaliser saw Asian Cup debutants Turkmenistan earn a well-deserved draw with three-time champions Saudi Arabia here Sunday.
The game played at Longquan Stadium in sultry Sichuan province was well fought out with the Turkmenis using their size against the much quicker Saudi team.
Forward Begenchmuhammed Kuliyev was the hero for Turkmenistan, sending a free kick into the back of the net from 30 meters out in injury time to give the Central Asians a well deserved draw.
For much of the second half it appeared that the Saudis superior speed was going to win the day, especially after striker Yasser Al-Qahtani headed home over the outstreched arms of goalkeeper Yevgeniy Naboychenko on 58 minutes to put his side up 2-1.
Turkmenistan were on the attack for most of the match, with swarming play in midfield constantly frustrating the Saudi build-up and creating scoring chances for the Turkmenis counter attack.
Turkmenistan opened the scoring with striker Nazar Bayramov taking a deflected cross in the goal box and heading it over Saudi keeper Tariq Al Hargan in the sixth minute.
But the 1-0 lead was short-lived, with Al Qahtani knocking home a penalty kick three minutes later after Saudi striker Saad Al Dosari was brought down in the box.
The Saudi team, headed by Dutch coach Gerard Van Der Lem, has been depleted by injuries, with key players like midfielders Mohammed Noor, Abdulla Al Wakid and Mohammed Ameen, and defender Osama Al Harbi all failing to join the team in China.