Firas Al Khatib gave the visitors the lead when he held off three defenders during a penetrating run before shooting from outside the area with a strike that Georgian goalkeeper Mikheil Alavidze was unable to keep out.

Shurtan equalised midway through the second-half when Predrag Vujovic initiated a move that saw him lay the ball off to substitute Sadriddin Abdullaev, who in turn found Ilnur Khazigaliev with the midfielder converting for a deserved leveller.

The result means Shurtan now have six points in Group B, one ahead of Al Ittihad who face Al Saqr in Aleppo. Al Qadsia, meanwhile, can look forward to a last 16 clash having clinched their place in the next phase with a game to spare.

Gess, though, felt his Shurtan should be celebrating three points instead of one.

“We had a complete advantage throughout the match. However, we failed to convert the chances that we created,” he said.

“But our opponent managed to take advantage of his only chance. We did not deserve to draw today.

“At the same time we should not forget that today, last year's AFC Cup finalist played against competition debutants. Unfortunately, the draw significantly worsened our chances to qualify from the group but we're not going to give up and we play to win in our last match.”

Al Qadsia boss Mohamed Ibrahim admitted he was impressed by their opponents but was naturally delighted to reach the next stage as they look to emulate last year's run to the final, where they lost to Al Ittihad.

“Today's Shurtan I liked more than the one with which we played in the first game (a 4-0 win in Kuwait),” he said.

“It is noticeable that the team has changed dramatically over this time. I'm happy not so much with draw but the fact that we were able to secure our participation into the next round.”

With Shurtan and Al Ittihad battling it out for the second qualification spot, Ibrahim also insisted his side would give their all in their final group game against the Syrians next week.

“At the same time I can guarantee that we will be faithful to the spirit of "fair play" and in the final round will also be playing to win,” he added.

“I do not know who would take second place in the group but we do not intend to give up without a fight."