This was almost the perfect away performance. Al Ain stood tall during a tough trip to Iran’s freezing capital – controlling possession, creating better chances and seeing goalkeeper Khalid Essa in defiant mood when pegged back in the final stages.

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Yet, one moment of defensive indecision against Naft Tehran sees the Boss on only two points from the opening pair of AFC Champions League assignments.

This is hardly cause for panic. Such assured displays should see last year’s semi-finalists through a tricky Group B also containing Al Shabab Riyadh and next opponents Pakhtakor, who shared a 2-2 draw last night.

Mitigation also came from a demanding recent schedule, plus a lack of full-match fitness for attacking sparks Jires Kembo Ekoko and Miroslav Stoch seeing long balls pursued rather than counters.

The steady reintegration of playmaker Omar Abdulrahman from a hamstring injury continued in the cavernous Azadi Stadium. He was a 62nd-minute substitute last night but should be close to his best by the time the competition resumes with a visit to the reigning Uzbekistan Professional Football League champions on Wednesday, March 18.

Coach Zlatko Dalic will need him to create a steadier supply of fine chances for Asamoah Gyan, the previous edition’s top scorer with 12 strikes.

The Ghana captain opened his ACL account for the campaign via a second-half leveller from the penalty spot. He could have had more. His uncharacteristic miss when played clean through capped off a first-half without reward for the vibrant visitors.

Veteran midfielder Ibrahim Diaky should have taken outstanding Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand out of the equation when picked out inside the box, his volley being acrobatically pushed away for a corner.

The Persian Pro League leaders then had reason for regret when attacking midfielder Gholamreza Rezaei snatched wildly at a volley of his own, prior to Gyan wasting his golden chance at the stroke of half-time – Beiranvand sticking out a giant leg to deny his low effort.

Al Ain were expected to build on their fine opening. The second period instead began with self examination, substitute Siamak Kouroshi allowed a free run to head in a Vahid Amiri throw-in with his first touch.

The equaliser was not long in coming. A flick inside the box from Gyan landed on Mehdi Shiri’s arm, referee Hai Tan of China harshly adjudging the incident to be a handball. The striker converted with aplomb from 12 yards.

Then, the hard part began. Essa stood up tall to a bombardment that featured shots from distance and testing crosses, securing a point that should be of great value.