FIFA World Cup winner Xavi, who played his last competitive match in a 2019 AFC Champions League tie against Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis on May 20, had announced his retirement on May 2.

The defeat, with Mahdi Torabi and Ali Alipour scoring for 2018 finalists Persepolis, came just four days after Al Sadd had lost the Qatar Amir Cup final to Al Duhail.

It was not the farewell Al Sadd wanted to give retiring Spanish legend Xavi but forward Akram Afif admitted that Al Sadd had not been at their best in both matches.

The 39-year-old midfield genius, who helped Spain win the World Cup in 2010 and won four UEFA Champions League titles and eight La Liga titles with Barcelona, was cheered by fans at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran where already-eliminated Persepolis produced an improved display to register only their second win in six matches.

Having already secured their place in the Round of 16, Al Sadd needed a point to ensure they ended the group stage in top spot, while Persepolis had already been eliminated and sat bottom of the group with four points.

The two-time AFC champions League winners said Tsuyoshi Otsuki will assume the role of head coach, having been an assistant to Brazilian Oliveira.

The match had been scheduled to take place on May 21 in Karbala, Iraq but was postponed and moved to an alternative venue for security reasons.

Both teams had secured qualification to the Round of 16 with a game to spare. Zobahan needed an added time goal from Reza Habibzadeh to snatch a point from Al Zawraa on Matchday Five and reach 11 points at the top of the group. Al Nassr, meanwhile, cruised to a 3-1 win over Al Wasl to join the Iranians in the next stage.

Sebastian Tagliabue was the star of the night at the Al Nahyan Stadium when he headed home in the 87th minute to ensure Al Wahda leapfrogged Al Ain to finish third in the standings on goal difference with 46 points. The Argentinian also clinched the topscorer award with 27 goals to his name, having played 25 matches.