Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored a brace after coming off the bench to help his Al Sadd side come from behind to earn a 2-1 away win on Matchday One of the 2018 AFC Champions League Group C.
After a slow start to the match, the hosts took the lead through Fabio de Lima in the 26th minute. The Brazilian capitalised on a loss of possession by defender Abdelkarim Hassan to cut inside from the right and send a curling shot that went in past goalkeeper Saad Al Dosari.
In the second half, Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira sent on Bounedjah to add impetus to his side's offensive efforts and the move paid off in style.
After first coming close with an overhead kick, the Algerian equalised for the Qatari side with 11 minutes left on the clock, converting Xavi’s sublime pass with a shot on the turn.
In the final minute of the game, Bounedjah was on target again, after he got on the end of a cross by substitute Akram Afif which the Al Wasl defence failed deal with. The striker finished on the half-volley to seal an important victory for the 2011 AFC Champions League winners.
Al Sadd welcome Persepolis to Doha next week while Al Wasl travel to Karshi in Uzbekistan to face Nasaf on Matchday Two.