DUBAI: Al-Taawoun could only manage a 1-1 draw with Al-Riyadh on Friday night, but the result was good enough to confirm their qualification for the AFC Champions League Two next season.
The draw left Al-Taawoun sixth in the SPL table and two points behind outgoing champions Al-Ittihad, who have played one game less.
The first half ended goalless and it was Al-Riyadh who silenced the home fans by taking the lead through Leonardo Antunes after 61 minutes. Their joy did not last long however, with Roger Martinez levelling the score from the penalty spot six minutes later.
Al-Taawoun’s failure to find a winner means they failed to break into the top five as the season enters its last week, but Pericles Chamusca's players will still celebrate their progress to Asia's second biggest club competition.
Al-Taawoun, with 53 points from 33 matches, sit below fifth-placed Al-Ittihad on 55 from 32. Al-Riyadh are now in the drop zone and need to not only win their last fixture, but also hope other results go their way on the final day of the season.
Earlier, hosts Damac defeated Al-Fayha 3-0 to leapfrog Al-Riyadh into 15th place, and just outside the relegation zone. Al-Fayha sit in 10th.
