A big win for Al-Ittihad at the end of the group stage
Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia secured a resounding and well-deserved 4-1 victory over their Qatari hosts, Al-Sadd, in their match on Tuesday evening at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. This encounter was part of the final round of the group stage (round-robin format) of the AFC Champions League, allowing Al-Ittihad to conclude this phase with a strong performance and an impressive result.
Background of the match and its importance in the continental championship
The AFC Champions League is considered the most prestigious club competition in Asia, witnessing fierce competition among the continent's top clubs. Matches between Saudi Arabia and Qatar are always characterized by their intensity and excitement, given the long history of rivalry between clubs from both countries. Both Al-Ittihad, the former Saudi league champions and one of the Kingdom's most established clubs, and Al-Sadd, the Qatari powerhouse with numerous achievements, enter this tournament with high hopes of competing for the title. This victory was more than just three points for Al-Ittihad; it served as a powerful message to the other contenders, demonstrating their ability to achieve impressive results away from home and confirming their readiness for the decisive knockout stages.
Match details and events
Al-Ittihad started the match with a clear attacking intent, dominating from the opening minutes. After an early attempt by Mali's Mohamed Doumbia, which was saved by Al-Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, the Saudi team managed to open the scoring in the 10th minute through Algerian star Houssem Aouar, who capitalized on a defensive error and fired a powerful shot into the net. Al-Ittihad gave their hosts no respite, as Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri added a second goal in the 18th minute after brilliantly breaking the offside trap. Al-Ittihad's pressure continued, resulting in a third goal in the 33rd minute, an own goal, when defender Pedro Miguel attempted to clear a cross but inadvertently deflected it into his own net. Before the end of the first half, Al-Sadd managed to reduce the deficit through their Spanish striker Rafa Mojica in the 38th minute. In the second half, Cameroonian Stéphane Keller added Al-Ittihad's fourth goal from a direct free kick in the 63rd minute, effectively ending Al-Sadd's hopes of a comeback. After the fourth goal, the pace of the game slowed until the referee blew the final whistle, confirming a resounding victory for Al-Ittihad.
The impact of the result on the teams' standings and their future in the tournament
With this resounding victory, Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 15, securing fourth place in the group stage standings. This position sets them up for a tough Round of 16 clash against Al-Wahda of the UAE, in a highly anticipated Gulf derby. Meanwhile, Al-Sadd of Qatar remain on eight points in eighth place, which will force them into a very difficult encounter against group leaders Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in a heavyweight Asian classic. This win reflects the strength of Saudi clubs in this edition of the tournament and highlights the positive impact of the international stars who have joined the Saudi league, adding significant technical quality to the teams participating in continental competitions.
