Al Sadd Triumphs Over Persepolis in AFC Champions League With 1-0 Victory. Doha, Qatar – Al Sadd secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Persepolis in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite group stage match, thanks to Mateus Uribe’s late first-half goal and some spectacular saves from goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.
The intense clash at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha saw Al Sadd claim their second consecutive win, moving them to seven points and holding onto third place in the West Zone standings, just behind Al Hilal and Al Ahli Saudi FC, both of whom have nine points.
Uribe Decisive Strike
The defining moment came in the 45+2 minute when Mateus Uribe found the back of the net, breaking the deadlock just before halftime. The goal came from a well-placed corner taken by Akram Afif, and Uribe’s strike in a crowded box gave Al Sadd the crucial advantage they needed to secure the win.
Despite relentless pressure from Persepolis, Uribe goal remained the only one of the match, thanks largely to Meshaal Barsham brilliant performance between the posts. Barsham made several key saves, particularly in the second half, to preserve Al Sadd’s narrow lead and help his team take all three points.
Sanchez Praises Team Determination
Al Sadd coach Felix Sanchez commended his team perseverance and defensive resilience following the win. “It was a very tough match, and we played well to secure the win. Our defense was outstanding, helping us earn three crucial points,” said Sanchez.
He also highlighted the team’s ability to remain focused despite a tight schedule, emphasizing their commitment to delivering strong performances in the tournament. The victory keeps Al Sadd hopes alive in their quest to advance in the AFC Champions League, as they continue to push for a place in the knockout stages.
Persepolis Struggles to Convert Chances
On the other side, Persepolis was left ruing missed opportunities. The Iranian side, coached by Juan Carlos Garrido, managed to create several promising chances throughout the match but failed to capitalize on any of them. Garrido expressed his disappointment, noting, “We played a good match and created many chances but did not succeed in converting them into goals.”
Persepolis, now sitting at the bottom of the group with just one point, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to improve their standing in the upcoming matches. Their inability to finish key scoring opportunities proved costly, especially as they dominated possession in the second half but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Intense Action and Missed Opportunities
The match started with both teams showing attacking intent early on. Boualem Khoukhi fired a long-range shot for Al Sadd in the fourth minute, but it sailed over the bar. Moments later, Omid Alishah of Persepolis tested Barsham with a sharp shot, signaling the Iranian side attacking intentions.
As Al Sadd gained control of possession, they pressed forward in search of a breakthrough. Guilherme Torres unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, but Persepolis goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz was equal to the task, making a solid save.
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Persepolis had their best chance of the first half in the 36th minute when Lucas Joao received a pass from Vahid Amiri in the center of the box but sent his shot well off target. A minute later, Meshaal Barsham made a crucial save, rushing out to deny Alishah, and moments later, Guilherme cleared Masoud Rigi goal-bound shot with a header, keeping Al Sadd defense intact.
Second Half Heroics by Barsham
The second half saw Persepolis increase their attacking pressure, with Meshaal Barsham called into action multiple times to keep Al Sadd ahead. In the 60th minute, Joao unleashed a low drive from outside the box, but Barsham made a crucial save to deny the equalizer.
As the match progressed, Persepolis took control of possession, and Soroush Rafiei came close to scoring with a powerful long-range shot, but Barsham made a stunning diving save to his left. Alishah also had a close attempt from the edge of the box, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Barsham’s heroics continued, as he blocked a shot from Farshad Ahmadzadeh, keeping Al Sadd clean sheet intact. In the dying moments of the game, Alishah last-gasp effort from outside the box rattled the crossbar, but Al Sadd held on for a vital win.
Al Sadd and Persepolis’ Next Challenges
With this crucial victory, Al Sadd will now turn their attention to their next challenge, an away game against Al Wasl in Dubai. Meanwhile, Persepolis will be eager to bounce back when they host Al Gharafa at Shahr-e Qods Stadium on November 4.
The AFC Champions League group stage is heating up, and Al Sadd’s win keeps them firmly in the race for a spot in the knockout stages. The Qatari side strong defensive display and clinical finishing could prove to be the key to their success in the remainder of the competition.
Conclusion
Al Sadd 1-0 triumph over Persepolis in the AFC Champions League was a testament to their resilience and determination. With Mateus Uribe’s decisive goal and Meshaal Barsham outstanding goalkeeping, Al Sadd secured three crucial points that keep them in contention for advancement. As the tournament progresses, Al Sadd focus on defense and clinical finishing will be vital to their success in the competition.