Controversial penalty overshadows ACL match

A controversial penalty has overshadowed the semi-final first leg between Saudi giants Al Hilal and UAE's Al Ahli in the Asian Champions League.

A late goal by Brazilian Ailton Almeida helped Al Hilal to a 1-1 draw against Al Ahli in Riyadh on Tuesday but the main talking point was the bizarre build-up to a spot kick awarded to the Saudis midway through the second half.

Down a goal and on the attack, Al Hilal broke into the box but lost the momentum when rival defender Salmeen Khamis came across and tried to shepherd the ball out of play.

And thinking the whole of the ball had crossed the line and was now dead, the 23-year-old bent down and picked it up.

However, the linesman, looking directly down the line, had a different view and waved for an infringement, prompting the referee to whistle for a penalty.

Slow motion replays of the strange incident proved inconclusive with multiple camera angles failing to show whether the ball had stayed in play or not.

However, Carlos Eduardo's effort from the spot beat the goalkeeper, but clipped the post ensuring no harm was done.

Earlier, Al Ahli appeared to be heading for a key away victory at the King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi capital when former Benfica striker Lima nodded in an Everton Ribeiro free-kick from just outside the penalty area in the 57th minute.

But with the minutes ticking by, Eduardo made amends for his penalty miss with a great corner that Ailton headed past Mahmoud to set up a potentially thrilling second leg clash in Dubai on October 20.