Al Wahda FC secured their place in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 with a dominant 3-1 victory over Al Sadd SC on Tuesday. The match, played at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, saw a second-half comeback from the UAE side, fueled by goals from Dusan Tadic and Caio Canedo. This AFC Champions League result eliminates immediate pressure on Al Wahda and leaves Al Sadd facing an uphill battle for qualification.
The win places Al Wahda at the top of Group C, qualifying them for the knockout stage with three matches remaining. Al Sadd, meanwhile, remains near the bottom of the group with only two points, significantly hindering their chances of progressing further in the tournament. The match was also marked by an injury to Al Sadd’s key player, Roberto Firmino.
Al Wahda’s AFC Champions League Qualification Sealed by Second-Half Surge
The first half saw Al Sadd create several opportunities, with Paulo Otavio and Roberto Firmino testing the Al Wahda defense. However, their momentum was disrupted when Firmino was forced off the pitch with an injury in the 33rd minute, replaced by Rafael Mujica. The breakthrough for Al Sadd came in added time when a handball by Ala Zhir led to a penalty, successfully converted by Claudinho.
However, Al Wahda emerged from the break with renewed energy. Substitutions proved crucial, with Facundo Kruspzky and Abdulqader Abdulla injecting pace and creativity into the attack. Kruspzky’s long-range effort forced a save from Al Sadd goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, setting the stage for Al Wahda’s comeback.
Key Moments in the Second Half
Dusan Tadic equalized for Al Wahda in the 55th minute with a skillful finish after a clever setup by Abdulla. A defensive error by Pau Prim in the 66th minute allowed Omar Khribin to capitalize, squaring the ball to Tadic for his second goal and giving Al Wahda the lead.
The final nail in the coffin for Al Sadd came in the 87th minute when Tadic provided a lofted pass for Caio Canedo, who calmly slotted the ball past Al Sheeb. This sealed the 3-1 victory and confirmed Al Wahda’s progression to the next round of the AFC Champions League.
The result represents a significant setback for Al Sadd, who were considered strong contenders in the group. Their reliance on Firmino was evident, and his injury appeared to disrupt their attacking rhythm. Additionally, defensive lapses proved costly, allowing Al Wahda to capitalize and secure the win.
Al Hilal SFC’s concurrent victory over Al Shorta further complicates matters for Al Sadd, increasing the competition for the remaining qualification spot. The Asian Champions League group stage is proving to be highly competitive this year, with several teams vying for a place in the knockout rounds.
Looking ahead, Al Wahda will focus on maintaining their momentum and securing a favorable seeding for the Round of 16. Al Sadd, on the other hand, will need to regroup and win their remaining matches to have any chance of advancing. The next round of fixtures will be crucial in determining the final standings of Group C, with the possibility of further upsets remaining a significant factor.
The qualification scenarios will become clearer after the next matchday, scheduled for [Date – to be added], but Al Sadd’s path to the knockout stage now appears considerably more challenging. The performance of both teams in their upcoming matches will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
AFC official website provides further details on the tournament. Al Wahda FC’s website has team news. Al Sadd SC’s website also provides updates.
