The AFC Champions League final is perfectly poised heading into the second leg, after the opening 90 minutes saw a Leonardo brace allow Jeonbuk Motors to fight back from a goal down to edge Al Ain 2-1 in the Jeonju World Cup stadium.

Danilo Asprilla hit a splendid opener to give the visitors a crucial away goal, before an equally stunning hit from Leonardo levelled matters, followed up by a winner on the night from the penalty spot. Whoever finds themselves on top following the second leg will earn themselves a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016, in addition to lifting the continental title.

Both previous winners, the sides arrived for their third appearance in the final, with Al Ain taking the inaugural Champions League title in 2003 and Jeonbuk in 2006, but incredibly – for two giants of the Asian game – it was their first ever meeting. Like in many a major final, both teams spent the early spells of the game feeling each other out and exercising caution – though plenty of energy was on show.

Al Ain talisman Omar Abdulrahman was doing all he could, with his elegant range of passing, to unlock the hosts’ defence, while at the other end Brazilian creator-in-chief Leonardo was posing plenty of problems from dead balls. However it was Caio, another Brazilian – whose 25 yard strike that whistled wide – who went closest.

The game exploded into life after the break, though. Omar Abdulrahman did superbly well to wriggle through the Jeonbuk defence to bring out a fine save from Kwoun Suntae, before his through ball found Asprilla – only for the Colombian to fluff his lines while one-on-one.

Moments later it was very different. The same pair combined, this time Asprilla being found on the edge of the area, with the striker controlling on his thigh before thumping an unstoppable half volley into the top corner.

But the home fans were only silenced for seven minutes. Leonardo, himself guilty of missing a chance at 0-0, made amends in spectacular style, hitting a searing strike into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw level.

He then was given the opportunity to send the Korean K-League side to Abu Dhabi in a week’s time in front when Kim Shinwook was hauled down in the area. He duly obliged, dispatching from 12 yards, and it could have been an even sweeter night for the hosts, had Lee Donggook’s header not been cleared off the line by Fawzi Fayez Al-Alawi.