Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Khalfan Ibrahim followed up his hat-trick in Al Sadd’s 2015 AFC Champions League Play-off with Al Wahda by netting the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Al Arabi, which took the 2011 ACL champions top of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) standings.
The 2006 AFC Player of the Year, who was with Al Arabi’s youth team prior to his move to Al Sadd in 2004, opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the campaign two minutes from the interval of Saturday’s QSL Round 18 clash.
Hasan Al Haydoos doubled the advantage in the 65th minute and while Ahmed Mohamed reduced the deficit with two minutes left to play but Al Sadd were not to be denied the win that lifted them one point clear of defending QSL champions Lehkwiya at the top of the table.
Al Sadd, who became the first team in ACL history to win the title after coming through the qualifiers to triumph in 2011, needed to survive two penalty shootouts to ultimately book their ticket the group stage of the 2015 AFC Champions League.
The first was an epic 11-10 win over Riffa of Bahrain in Preliminary Round 2 after a goalless stalemate before edging Al Wahda 5-4 following a hugely entertaining 4-4 draw after extra-time as Al Sadd slotted into Group C of this year’s edition of Asia’s premier club competition.
Al Sadd’s tenth AFC Champions League campaign begins on Wednesday when they face Iran champions Foolad Khouzestan at the Ghadir Stadium in Ahwaz.
Photo: WSG