Tribune News Network
Doha
Al Sadd edged Persepolis of Iran 1-0 in their third round match (West Group) of the AFC Champions League Elite at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.
The successful strike for Al Sadd came from Mateus Uribe in 45+2nd minute with the second win of the tournament taking Al Sadd’s tally to 7 points to be third in the 12-team group while Persepolis remain on 1 point and in tenth spot.
A pleased Al Sadd coach later said, “It was a very tough match, and we played well to secure the win. Our defense was outstanding, helping us earn three crucial points.
“Despite the tight schedule, the team is working hard, and I’m pleased with the performance of my players. They remain focused.”
Al Sadd could have added more goals but for some fumbles at the finish. And while Persepolis tried hard to get the equalizer, Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham stood out with some fine saves that denied the rivals.
The hosts had Persepolis under pressure right from the start and in the 17th minute forward Torres Guilherme came close after an Akram Afif assist, but his kick by saved in the left corner by Persepolis goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz, who flung in time.
In the 29th minute, Afif again provided Guilherme with a fine cross but this time the latter shot over.
Persepolis tried to hit back in the 37th minute but on this occasion Al Sadd made two back-to-back super saves. First Barsham blocked Omid Alishah’s shot in the centre and then a kick by Masoud Rigi off the rebound was kept away by Guilherme.
Al Sadd soon went up the lead in added time of the opening half and just after a Cristo Gonzalez header missed to the right. The disappointment however turned into joy soon as Afif took a corner kick.
Afif’s kick resulted in a bit of a goal-mouth melee before the ball went to a waiting Mateus, who smartly pushed it into the left corner.
Al Sadd were clearly on the upswing in the second session, but failed to find another finish despite coming close a few times.
In the 53rd minute, Afif fumbled after being in great position in front of the goal and ten minutes later Paulo Otavio failed to beat the goalkeeper.
In the 74th minute, a threatening Farshad Faraji push at the goal-mouth was kept away by Barsham, who deflected the ball using his right leg.
In the 86th minute, Afif was again in the danger with the ball but lost his footing.
In the closing stages, Persepolis rued their luck as Alishah rattled the crossbar and Al Sadd held on to seal the win.
Al Sadd will next play Al Wasl in an away game in Dubai on November 4 while Persopolis will meet Qatar’s Al Gharafa the same day.
Al Ahli Saudi stay perfect
Al Ahli Saudi FC made it three wins out of three after defeating Al Rayyan 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2024-25 tie at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Monday.
Strikes from Gabri Veiga and Feras Al Brikan gave Al Ahli a healthy cushion heading into the break, with an own goal from Fahad Al Hamad proving a mere consolation for Qatar’s Al Rayyan.
Al Rayyan missed an early chance to take the lead after Trezeguet muscled his way into the left side of the area before cutting the ball across for Hazem Shehata, whose shot was turned away for a corner by Ibanez.
The visitors came close to finding a way through in the 12th minute when Al Brikan surged into the box to set up Ivan Toney at the far end, but Al Rayyan keeper Paulo Victor was quick to intervene.
Al Ahli Saudi’s high-pressing approach was rewarded four minutes later when Gabri Veiga opened the scoring when he curled the ball into the back of the net directly from the corner.
Al Brikan and Ibanez continued to torment Al Rayyan with both having their efforts denied by Victor as the Qatari side struggled to contain Al Ahli Saudi’s advances.
Al Ahli Saudi, however, were not to be denied a second goal in the 38th minute after Riyad Marez delivered a pin-point cross for Al Brikan to convert with a glancing header.
Al Rayyan started the second half much brighter and Roger Guedes went close in the 47th minute after he burst through the centre but fired wide.
Al Ahli Saudi wasted a great chance to extend their lead in the 63rd minute when Franck Kessie lobbed the ball to an unmarked Toney, who had both his efforts from point blank range saved by Victor.
Al Rayyan pulled one back in the 65th minute after Murad Naji Hussein’s dangerous cross into the box was turned into the back of the net by Fahad Al Hamad while keeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi had to be at his best to deny Guedes’ headed attempt in the 84th minute as the visitors held on to seal the win.
Al Rayyan will face Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor FC on November 5, with Al Ahli Saudi playing Al Shorta of Iraq.
