With the game seemingly heading to a goalless conclusion, Bunyodkor substitute Murzoev Kamoliddin - on the pitch for just two minutes – set up Azizbek Haydarov to give the visitors an 84th minute lead that looked to have snatched the points.

However Hugo (Hugo Henrique Assis do Nascimento), a 63rd minute substitute for hosts Al Wahda, had other ideas and equalised with three minutes remaining to share the points and send the home crowd into a frenzy.

With the UAE Pro League title definitely not remaining with Al Wahda, success in the 2011 AFC Champions League is now the priority and Josef Hickesberger’s side managed to salvage a point against the Uzbeks despite missing a few opportunities.

Al Wahda served notice of their intentions early when Fernando Baiano let fly from the top of the box but Ignatiy Nesterov had no problem collecting the ball.

Seven minutes later the ball ricocheted off the Brazilian to Ismail Matar and the UAE star did well to beat a few defenders but his final effort was inches away from the far corner.

Bunyodkor, playing their first official match since their domestic season ended in October, looked rusty and it was not until the 21st minute that they threatened but Viktor Karpenko’s effort missed the target.

The best move of the match came in the 23rd minute when Baiano moved the ball out to Mohammad Al Shehhi on the right and the latter found Matar who in turn fed an advancing Mahmoud Khamis down the left. However Mahmoud’s effort was weak and straight at Nesterov, allowing the Bunyodkor keeper to save with ease.

Al Wahda finished the first period with another wasted chance, this time Al Shehhi and Baiano combining but the latter could not extend Nesterov.

Soon after the break Haider Allo thwarted Karpenko’s effort and at the other end, Baiano headed wide over the bar.

Both Mirdjalal Kasimov and Hickesberger rung the changes but the game appeared to be fizzling out into a goalless stalemate until the late fireworks that ended with Al Wahda snatching a draw.