The Saudi side had already picked up their first point, drawing Al Wehdat 1-1 on their continental debut, and set on to add to it in front of their home fans.

With full-backs Abdelkarim Hassan and Pedro Miguel both suspended following red cards in the opening game, head coach Javi Gracia brought Tarek Salman and Mohammad Waad into the side, while Saad Al Sheeb started between the sticks instead of Meshaal Barsham.

Al Sadd wasted no time in taking the lead after club captain Al Haydos embarked on a run down the left, exchanging passes with Akram Afif then keeping his composure to slot the ball into the far corner just four minutes into the game.

Al Faisaly responded in the 17th minute through Faik who rose highest to head home Martin Boyle’s pinpoint cross for his second goal of the AFC Champions League.

Al Sadd came close to going in front once more minutes later as Santi Cazorla curled a left-footed free-kick that passed just wide of the upright.

Eight minutes after the restart, it was the Saudi side that took the lead after Faik turned from scorer to provider, sending a fine long ball to Tavares and the Cape Verdean forward outmuscled his marker and slotted home Al Faisaly’s second goal of the night.

Al Sadd looked to equalise, piling the pressure on their opponents and Cazorla came close to finding the back of the net with 10 minutes to go, taking possession of a loose ball inside the Al Faisaly box and drilling an effort that passed just the wrong side of the woodwork.

The Qatari side’s constant attack left spaces behind that head coach Marinos Ouzinidis’ men looked to exploit, and they nearly did when Mohammed Al Saiari found himself in acres of space on the counter, but with the angle tightening, he blasted an effort into goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb who denied him the chance.

Through a combination of resilient defending and heroic goalkeeping in the final minutes, Al Faisaly weathered the storm until the final whistle, walking away with the win to reach four points that leave them joint top of Group E alongside FC Nasaf whom they face in the next game while Al Sadd play Al Wehdat of Jordan with both sides having one point to their name.