Continental Review: Al-Sadd, Al-Gharafa clinch thrilling wins in ACLE, Al-Ahli go through in ACL2
Qatari clubs experienced a mixed but eventful week in continental competitions, with Al-Ahli clinching a knockout stage spot in AFC Champions League Two, while qualification chances remained thin for Al-Sadd and Al-Gharafa in the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite, despite the two sides recording dramatic victories. Al-Duhail was the only Qatari side to lose this week, suffering a 1-2 defeat away to Tractor of Iran.
Al Sadd delivered what was arguably the standout performance of the week in the AFC Champions League Elite, producing a remarkable 4–2 comeback victory at home against Shabab Al Ahli under immense pressure. It was only Roberto Mancini’s third match in charge of the Qatari side, following one win and one defeat, with the latter coming in the ACLE against Al Wahda. That loss had left Al Sadd winless after five matches and staring at the real possibility of missing out on the knockout stage, making this clash with another Emirati opponent a must-win.
The score was 0-0 at halftime, but the hosts were rocked early in the second half. Federico Cartabia struck in the 47th minute to expose Al Sadd’s defensive frailties, before Yahya Al Ghassani’s confidently taken penalty on 70 minutes pushed Shabab Al Ahli two goals clear and left their opponents on the brink. Mancini responded immediately, sending on Rafa Mujica for Pau Prim in an attacking change, despite the striker having failed to score in any of his previous 12 matches in the competition.
The turning point came five minutes later when Mujica broke his drought, converting a cross from Akram Afif to reduce the deficit; it was a goal surrounded by controversy after a disputed throw-in, in addition to Shabab Al-Ahli being denied substitutions before the throw was taken.
With belief restored, Al Sadd pressed relentlessly and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Tarek Salman swept home following a corner to equalise (90+5′).
After a VAR review to check the goal extended the match further, Mujica struck again, weaving through the opposition defenders to put Al Sadd ahead, before sealing an extraordinary hat-trick moments later with a composed finish from Afif’s pass. According to Stad Doha, Mujica became the first substitute to score a hat-trick in the competition since 2003, completing one of the most dramatic comebacks in the tournament’s history.
Al Sadd’s first win in the ACLE this season means they are now two points away from the top eight, with two games to go. Their hopes are slim, but this victory will give them the belief to go all out in search of maximum points from the remaining two fixtures.
Elsewhere, Al Gharafa edged Al Wahda 1–0 thanks to a late goal, a crucial win that kept them within touching distance of the West Zone’s top eight, although the competition for qualification remains intense. It was the first defeat in this season’s ACL Elite for Al Wahda.
Both sides ended the game with ten men – Al Wahda keeper Mohammed Al Shamsi was first sent off for a foul in the box (52′) that resulted in a penalty for Al Gharafa, which was then missed by Yacine Brahimi. Al Gharafa then had their defender Dame Traore given his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 59th minute.
The tight game was only settled in the 87th minute, when Seydou Sanno scored to give Al Gharafa a much-needed win.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail suffered a setback away in Iran, losing 2–1 to Tractor FC after a closely fought contest, a defeat that left them chasing their rivals in the standings and with little room for error going forward. Benjamin Bourigeaud had given Al Duhail the lead through a 35th minute penalty, only for Shojae Khalilzadeh to equalise in the 51st minute. Tractor then dealt a late blow, with Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh’s stoppage time winner breaking the opposition’s hearts.
As of now, Al Duhail remain within the qualification spots, occupying seventh place with seven points, but anything less than a victory in the next game could mean danger.
Under Djamel Belmadi’s supervision, the team underwent several changes in the summer, and success in Asia was to be a measure of his tenure so far. While Algerian talent Adel Boulbina has starred and is now the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, other players have not necessarily been at their best. Belmadi’s side cannot afford to slip up like they did in Iran anymore.
In the AFC Champions League Two, the news was far more positive for Qatar. Al Ahli wrapped up their group-stage campaign with a convincing 2–0 win over Andijon of Uzbekistan, a result that saw them finish top of their group with an unbeaten record, and book a place in the Round of 16. The victory capped a composed performance in which Al Ahli controlled large spells of the match and struck in each half through goals from Michel Vlap (26′, 65′) to put the result beyond doubt.
Participating in a continental competition for the first time since 1999, Al Ahli have had a mixed bag of results so far in ACL2, but have still managed to stay unbeaten and top the group, which is quite an achievement, considering their disappointing results in the league and the sacking of coach Igor Biscan.
Younis Ali, the former club captain, is now in charge of the team, and has led them to the ACL2 knockout stage less than a month after signing on. The big question is whether he can continue to deliver for Al Ahli, bringing them the kind of success he had achieved at neighbours Al Arabi.
