Al-Sadd emerged victorious against Sharjah FC with a 2-0 scoreline, in their fifth round clash of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group B fifth round match, played at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday.
The opening goal for Al-Sadd arrived in the 9th minute when Gonzalo Plata capitalized on a rebound from Akram Afif’s initial shot. The Ecuadorian’s precise follow-up secured a 1-0 lead for Al-Sadd, and despite Sharjah FC’s attempts to level the score throughout the first half, the visitors were resilient and held on to their advantage.
The second half saw Al-Sadd maintaining offensive pressure, which culminated in a second goal, scored by Baghdad Bounedjah in the 60th minute. A well-timed cross from Pedro Miguel allowed Bounedjah to score with a header, doubling the lead for Al-Sadd.
Strategic substitutions in the 70th minute, with Ali Asad and Moustafa Tarek coming on, reinforced Al-Sadd’s midfield. The team effectively managed the remaining minutes, denying Sharjah FC any scoring opportunities.
The match concluded with Al-Sadd securing three points, bringing their total to seven points in Group B, ahead of their final clash of the group stage, against Nasaf of Uzbekistan.
