Mujica: Al Sadd never stopped believing

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Mujica: Al Sadd never stopped believing

Doha: Hat-trick hero Rafa Mujica attributed self-belief as the key factor for Al Sadd SC’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-0 following goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani, Al Sadd appeared on the brink of elimination before Mujica turned the match on its head with a superb treble, with Tarek Salman adding a fourth as the Qatari side registered their first win of the campaign to keep their hopes alive.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-sadd-sc-qat-4-2-shabab-al-ahli-uae

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Victory is all that matters, says Al Ittihad’s Benzema

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Victory is all that matters, says Al Ittihad’s Benzema

Jeddah: Karim Benzema was both relieved and delighted after Al Ittihad Club returned to winning ways in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over PFC Nasaf at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

The Saudi Arabian side had to be patient against a resilient Nasaf defence before Benzema struck in the second half, his decisive effort lifting Al Ittihad to nine points and bringing an end to the Uzbekistan side’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16.

Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced today the two match venues that will stage the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2026, which will take place between April 16 to 25, 2026.

Having both hosted the 2025 edition of the ACL Elite Finals, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium will once again serve as the battlegrounds for the final seven showdowns of the 2025/26 season of the ACL Elite.

Win sets Al Ahli up nicely for upcoming battles, says Jaissle

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Win sets Al Ahli up nicely for upcoming battles, says Jaissle

Baghdad: Matthias Jaissle wants his Al Ahli Saudi FC side to draw confidence from Monday’s 5-0 win against Al Shorta as they seek to defend their AFC Champions League Elite™ title and target domestic honours.

The victory confirmed Al Ahli Saudi’s Round of 16 spot but there will be no time to celebrate as the Jeddah-based side face three domestic matches in nine days, one of which is against table-topping Al Nassr Club in the Saudi Pro League.

Sano delighted to keep Al Gharafa in the hunt

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Sano delighted to keep Al Gharafa in the hunt

Al Rayyan: Seydou Sano was glad to have delivered after his last gasp goal secured Al Gharafa SC a 1-0 victory against UAE’s Al Wahda FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Monday.

The win moved the Qatari side to six points and kept their Round of 16 hopes alive with two matches remaining.

Inzaghi’s half-time talk keeps Al Hilal perfect

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Inzaghi’s half-time talk keeps Al Hilal perfect

Sharjah: Simone Inzaghi’s second half pep talk inspired Al Hilal SFC to their 1-0 win against  Sharjah FC as they maintained their flawless run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Monday.

After a tight opening half, Al Hilal came back reinvigorated after the break with Cancelo driving into the box to set up Malcom, who thundered home into the top right corner in the 81st minute.

The Saudi Pro League side, who had confirmed their Round of 16 qualification with three matches to spare, hold a four-point lead at the top after a sixth consecutive win.