Christopher Bonsu Baah provides assist as Al Qadsiah are held by Pakhtakor

Ghanaian winger Christopher Bonsu Baah recorded an assist as Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah were held to a 1-1 draw by Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor FC in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.

The 21-year-old created the opening goal for Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders in the 35th minute, helping Al Qadsiah take the lead in their continental fixture.

However, the Saudi Arabian club were unable to hold on for victory after a late penalty decision gave Pakhtakor the opportunity to equalise. Dostonbek Khamdamov converted from the spot in the 89th minute after a video assistant referee (VAR) review awarded the hosts a penalty two minutes earlier.

The result denied Al Qadsiah all three points despite their efforts to protect their advantage for most of the match.

Bonsu Baah continued to offer an attacking threat from the flank before being substituted in the 80th minute, when Suleman Sani came on as the visitors sought to preserve their lead.

The Ghana international's latest contribution adds to an encouraging start to the 2026/27 campaign. He has now been involved in seven goals across 11 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and providing five assists.

His performance against Pakhtakor came days after he scored his first goal of the season in Al Qadsiah's emphatic 5-0 league victory over Al-Kholood.

Al Qadsiah took the lead in the 35th minute through Reijnders, who benefited from Bonsu Baah's attacking vision.

The Ghanaian winger supplied the assist that allowed the Dutch midfielder to open the scoring, giving the Saudi Arabian side an advantage to take into the remainder of the contest.

Bonsu Baah's contribution highlighted his importance to Al Qadsiah's attacking play, with the winger continuing to threaten down the flank as his side attempted to extend their lead.

The visitors managed to protect their advantage for much of the match and appeared well placed to secure a victory in the Asian competition.

Bonsu Baah remained involved in their attacking efforts before his departure in the 80th minute. Al Qadsiah introduced Suleman Sani as they looked to maintain their narrow lead during the closing stages.

Despite their attempts to see out the game, the visitors were unable to prevent Pakhtakor from finding a late route back into the contest.

Pakhtakor's equaliser came after a decisive intervention in the closing minutes.

A VAR review in the 87th minute resulted in the hosts being awarded a penalty, creating an opportunity to draw level after trailing for much of the match.

Khamdamov stepped up and converted the spot-kick in the 89th minute, ensuring that the encounter ended 1-1.

The late goal proved costly for Al Qadsiah, who had been close to securing all three points after Reijnders' first-half strike.

Instead, they had to settle for a draw despite taking the lead and maintaining their advantage deep into the second half.

The equaliser also came after Bonsu Baah had been substituted, meaning the Ghanaian was no longer on the pitch when the penalty was converted.

The outcome left Al Qadsiah without the victory they had worked towards, while Pakhtakor secured a share of the points through their late response.

Although Al Qadsiah were unable to secure the win, Bonsu Baah continued his productive run in front of goal.

The 21-year-old has now registered seven goal contributions in 11 appearances across all competitions this season. His record comprises two goals and five assists, underlining his involvement in the Saudi Arabian side's attacking output.

The assist against Pakhtakor was another contribution to that tally and followed his first goal of the campaign in the 5-0 league win over Al-Kholood.

That emphatic domestic victory provided a further indication of his growing influence, with the winger finding the net before returning to continental competition.

His ability to create opportunities for teammates as well as score goals has been a feature of his performances during the opening stages of the season.

Against Pakhtakor, his vision helped Al Qadsiah establish an early advantage, even though the team ultimately failed to convert that lead into a victory.

Bonsu Baah will now look to maintain his momentum as Al Qadsiah turn their attention back to domestic football.

Al Qadsiah are scheduled to return to domestic action on Friday, 16 October, when they host Abha Club.

The fixture will offer Bonsu Baah another opportunity to continue his contribution in the final third as the Saudi Arabian side resume their league campaign.

Having scored in the victory over Al-Kholood and provided an assist in the draw with Pakhtakor, the Ghana international will hope to carry his current form into the upcoming match.

His seven goal contributions from 11 appearances provide a positive foundation for the campaign, while Al Qadsiah will aim to respond on the pitch after missing out on victory in Monday's continental encounter.

The draw against Pakhtakor showed both the value of Bonsu Baah's attacking input and the fine margins that can determine results at this level.

Al Qadsiah had appeared set for victory after Reijnders' opener, but Khamdamov's late penalty ensured the points were shared.

For Bonsu Baah, the assist represents another productive outing as he seeks to build on his early-season form and maintain his influence in Al Qadsiah's attack.