A silky midfielder with a wand of a right foot, ‘the Blonde Wonder’ as he was nicknamed, made his bow for Romania aged just 17 in 1974; a national record for youngest debutant that lasted until 2014. 65 caps later, Balaci retired as one of the greatest players his country has ever produced.

After hanging his boots in 1988, the Romanian’s coaching career took him to Tunisia as a 33-year-old. Instant success ensued as he led Club Africain to become African champions in 1991. An impressive spell in Morocco further proved the young manager’s credentials and he was soon the subject of great interest from Asian clubs.

Abdoulaye Dieng broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute from the spot after Al Jazeera goalkeeper Ahmed Nawwas felled striker Khalid Al Hajri as the latter attempted to round him.

There was little Nawwas could do to stop Al Hajri eight minutes later as the Omani international rose highest to score with a header from Al Abd Al Nawfali’s cross to double the hosts' lead.

The visitors pulled one back instantly as defender Ahmed Al Khamisi’s attempt to clear Musa Al Taamari’s in-swinging corner-kick saw the ball inadvertently sentto Yazan Al Arab at the back post, and the Al Jazeera defender headed into the back of the net to make it 2-1 at the break.

Al Jazeera, however, were back in the game when skipper Mohammad Tannous unleashed a thunderous left-footed drive from 25 yards out that left goalkeeper Fayez Al Rushaidi helpless in the 67th minute.

Al Taamari continued his impressive form by finding the net for the third match running as Al Jazeera turned the tables on their hosts with 20 minutes to go.

The Jordanian international was brought down inside the box and stepped up to take the penalty. Goalkeeper Al Rashidi was left to rue his luck as his touch was not enough to keep Al Tammari’s strike out.

Al Jazeera remain unbeaten after three games and welcome Al Suwaiq to Amman International Stadium for the reverse fixture next week.

Tuesday's hard fought 0-0 draw away at Group H leaders Song Lam Nghe An puts Persija Jakarta right back into the reckoning for a place in the AFC Cup knockout stage ahead of two vital home ties, according to their number 9 Marko Simic.

The Indonesians endured an opener to forget on February 14 when they lost 3-0 away at Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia, but the Matchday Three draw in Vietnam was a solid follow-up to the 4-1 win over Singapore's Tampines Rovers in Jakarta.

Crucially, Simic and his side now have two consecutive fixtures on their own turf, where they will look for the fans to turn out again in numbers after the Persija fans broke an AFC Cup Group Stage attendance record against Tampines.

On Monday, the four teams in Group B take to the field, before Groups A and C resume on Tuesday in what could be a tournament-defining week for some of the clubs.

Ceres Negros, Yangon United and Song Lam Nghe An look good at the top of Groups F, G and H respectively, after giving the chasing packs plenty to do in order to catch them.

Among the highlights last week was a debut victory for Benfica Macau in Group I, while last year’s runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajikistan also got off to a winning start in Group D.

After their opening game was postponed, 2016 runners-up JSW Bengaluru of India play their first game in Group E on Wednesday.