Al-Sadd registered their second straight win in the AFC Champions League group stage, defeating Al Wehdat 2-0 in the Matchday Four clash which was played on Friday at Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
A penalty from Santi Cazorla (13’) and a late strike by Ali Asad (89’) delivered the three points for Al-Sadd. Al-Wehdat defender Yazan Al-Arab was sent off in the 76th minute.
With this result, Al-Sadd rose to second place in Group D with 7 points, behind the leaders Al-Nassr who have 8 points.
The Wolves began the game well, and Cazorla had a great opportunity in the 7th minute but his shot was kept out by the keeper with some difficulty. The Spaniard did manage to find the target a few minutes later, converting from the penalty spot to give Al Sadd the opening goal. The spot kick had been awarded for a foul on Baghdad Bounedjah by Al Wehdat defender Yazan Al-Arab.
Nam Tae-hee almost made it 2-0 in the 28th minute after getting past several defenders, but his shot came back off the post.
The first half came to an end with just one goal in it, despite attempts by both sides.
After the break, Al Sadd intensified their efforts but the much-needed second goal seemed to evade them each time. Abdulkarim Hassan went up the left wing and sent in a cross in the 55th minute but Al Wehdat’s defence intervened before the ball could reach Bounedjah.
As the game moved past the hour mark, Xavi went on to make two changes, bringing on Yousuf Abdurisag and Salem Al Hajri in place of Hassan Al Haydos and Mohammed Waad.
In the 76th minute, Al Wehdat’s Yazan Al Arab picked up a second yellow card and was sent off. Thereafter, Al Sadd tried to make use of the numerical advantage and in the 81st minute, Yousuf sent Baghdad towards goal with a through ball but the Algerian’s shot could only hit the left post.
The second goal finally arrived, in the 89th minute, when the Wolves combined well in the final third in a great move, which culminated with substitute Ali Asad finishing off Yousuf’s pass.
MATCH DETAILS
Al-Sadd x Al-Wehdat (Matchday Four of the AFC Champions League)
Venue:
Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
Lineups:
Al-Sadd: Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Abdelkarim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Tarek Salman, Mohammed Waad (Salem Al Hajri), Nam Tae-hee (Ali Asad), Hassan Al Haydos (Yousuf Abdurisag), Guilherme, Santi Cazorla, Baghdad Bounedjah
Al-Wehdat: Abdullah Al-Fakhouri, Firas Shalabaya, Yazan Al-Arab, Ibrahim Jawabra, Khaled Essam, Saleh Ratib, Ahmed Elias, Rajai Ayed, Tariq Khattab, Abdulaziz Ndiaye, Ahmed Samir
Result:
Al-Sadd won 2-0
Goals:
Santi Cazorla 13’
Ali Asad 89’
Bookings:
Yazan Al Arab 13’, 76’ (Red card)
Salem Al Hajri 48’
Referees:
Mohammed Amirul (main referee)
Muhammad Yusri (assistant 1)
Jun Mihara (assistant 2)
Ryuji Sato (fourth official)
