The Western Sydney Wanderers have kept their Asian Champions League defence on track after a 1-1 draw with FC Seoul.

But the Wanderers missed a golden opportunity to take a major step towards progressing to the knock out phase.

Kerem Bulut gave the Wanderers a dream start before Go Yohan equalised late, brilliant saves by both keepers ensuring the scores remained level in a frenetic finish.

With both sides equal on points behind group leaders Guangzhou Evergrande, a win at Parramatta Stadium would have put the Wanderers in the box seat to progress with the top two teams to go through.

Instead the Wanderers remain in second spot but only ahead of FC Seoul on goal difference.

The Wanderers’ next match against bottom-placed Kashima Antlers at Parramatta Stadium in a fortnight now looms as a must win for the reigning champions to go through.

Bulut gave the Wanderers the perfect start when a Iacopo La Rocca long ball caused panic in the box, the striker taking full advantage to put the hosts up 1-0 in the 12th minute.

Labinot Haliti had two great first-half opportunities to double the advantage, his first shot off a back-pass going well wide before also missing with a diving header from point-blank rage off a great Anthony Golec ball.

FC Seoul looked like levelling just before the break when Everton Santos was released on the left, but the Brazilian could not convert.

Yun Illok also threatened a minute later but Wanderers keeper Ante Covic was rarely troubled in the opening half.

The Wanderers were lucky to retain their lead when Colombian Mauricio Molina’s powerful strike was denied by the crossbar in the 52nd minute.

Eager to add more firepower up front, Tony Popovic brought on Socceroo striker Tomi Juric for Haliti with just under half an hour remaining.

But the Koreans would score next with substitute Go’s sensational strike off a Santos ball levelling the score in the 72nd minute.

Bulut went in search of a second goal launching on a Yusuke Tanaka ball to drew a great save from keeper Kim Yong Dae five minutes later.

Wanderers fans were left irate in the dying minutes when Juric was brought down in the box, the referee waving play on.

Covic pulled out perhaps the save of the match in the dying minutes, the keeper airborne to diffuse a heavily deflected volley with replays showing he took the ball over the line with him.

Molina and Myong-Jin Koh also tested Covic with just moments on the clock.

Kim was also under fire at the other end denying both Romeo Castalan and Jason Trifiro in the dying stages.

Source: AAP