TNN/AFC
Doha
A telling header from Ferjani Sassi ensured a deserving 1-0 win for Al Gharafa over UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite Preliminary Stage 2 fixture at the Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday.
The victory secured The Cheetahs a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 group stage (West Zone) while Shabab Al Ahli will compete in the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 with the draw for both competitions to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday.
Al Gharafa’s big moment arrived in the 50th minute of the match with Sassi dashing into the box to time a Fabricio Diaz cross from the right and head perfectly that beat a diving goalkeeper to his left.
Post match, Al Gharafa coach Pedro Martins said, “The match was tough and we were keen to get a victory and deal with the opponent in a distinctive tactical style according to the nature of the contest. And we were able to achieve what we aspired to.”
Al Gharafa midfielder Assim Madibo, said, “We are happy to win and qualify for the AFC Chamions League Elite group stage which is the most important thing.
“It’s just the start of the season and we gave a reasonable performance in this tough match. We played with high spirits and I want to thank the fans for their support,” he added.
Al Gharafa, who held sway for most part of the match, earlier had a bright start and with their high tempo approach almost opened scoring in the sixth minute when Joselu’s shot struck the post after a throw-in.
Moments later, Jamal Hamed saw his effort off a rebound denied by Shabab Al Ahli keeper Hassan Hamza, who also foiled Florinel Coman’s effort shortly after.
Shabab Al Ahli had a chance to respond in the 9th minute but Breno Cascardo’s header was comfortably saved by Al Gharafa keeper Khalifa Ababacar.
Al Gharafa continued to press and came close to scoring with Fabricio Diaz forcing another fine save from Hamza in the 13th minute, who then needed to be at full stretch to tip away the deflected effort from distance.
The visitors later had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute but Yuri Cesar pulled his shot wide, while Al Gharafa came close again in the 37th minute when Assim Madibo just failed to find the net off his free-kick.
The Cheetahs kept up their hunt, from where they left off in the second half and kept Shabab Al Ahli on their toes with Diaz testing Hamza from distance before Jang Hyun-soo angled his headed attempt wide from the ensuing corner.
Shabab Al Ahli’s defence finally succumbed soon in the second half when Sassi combined well with Diaz before the Uruguayan sent a well-timed cross for the Tunisian to finish with a thumping header.
Shabab Al Ahli came close to levelling the score three minutes later, Ababacar having to be at his best to deny Breno Cascardo’s curling effort from inside the area.
In an effort to salvage their hopes, Shabab Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa introduced Gaston Suarez, Sardar Azmoun and Guilherme Bala into the mix but it was to no avail as Al Gharafa hung on for the win and a place in the top tier of Asian club football.
