AFC Champions League League Phase West - 6

Al-Gharafa 1 - 0 FT Al Wahda FC

Thani bin Jassim Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
13
FT
Mon, Dec 22
Al-Gharafa
1-0
Al Wahda FC
⚡ Intensity 9
⚖️ Balance 15
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 0
Al-Gharafa edge wasteful Al Wahda FC.

Al-Gharafa Defy Odds in Gritty Continental Victory

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 13/100. Al-Gharafa secured a vital lifeline in their AFC Champions League campaign, overcoming a massive possession deficit and disciplinary chaos to stun the higher-ranked Al Wahda FC.

Opening Act: Tactical Grit at Thani bin Jassim Stadium

Thani bin Jassim Stadium witnessed a frantic start where tactical discipline often took a backseat to raw ambition. Although Al Wahda FC controlled possession with a 59% share, they struggled to turn that territorial dominance into clinical efficiency. An Intensity rating of 1.8 reflects a match defined by sheer volume rather than precision, as both sides combined for a staggering 26 shots, yet only three of those efforts actually found the target. Al-Gharafa, despite their lower standing in the group context, absorbed the early pressure with a resilient defensive block. They were content to allow the visitors to circulate the ball, waiting for the perfect moment to exploit the space left behind by the Emirati side’s high defensive line during this crunch match.

The Pivot: Red Cards and Set-Piece Pressure

The match turned on a series of disciplinary lapses and relentless set-piece opportunities that tested the focus of both managers. With a total of 12 corners shared between the teams, the air was constant with the threat of a dead-ball breakthrough. As the Balance of the game shifted away from midfield control and toward a more broken, transitional style, the referee’s whistle became a frequent soundtrack to the evening. The high Stakes of continental progression eventually boiled over, resulting in a red card for each squad. This reduction in numbers opened up the pitch but also increased the desperation of the defensive units. Al-Gharafa’s ability to maintain their shape amidst the flurry of 18 total shots they attempted—most of which flew harmlessly off-target—eventually allowed them to find the decisive moment.

Resolution: A Vital Three Points

The narrow 1-0 scoreline provides a massive boost for Al-Gharafa, who move away from a difficult run of domestic form to claim three precious points. For Al Wahda FC, this result will feel like a missed opportunity given their superior ball retention and 456 total passes. The Upset factor remains the primary narrative here, as the 10th-placed Qatari side managed to shut out a team currently sitting 4th in their league standings. As the final whistle blew, the relief for the home fans was palpable. This result recalibrates the group dynamics, proving that in the AFC Champions League, survival and efficiency in the Intensity of the moment often outweigh statistical dominance. The victory serves as a platform for Al-Gharafa to rebuild their season momentum.

Key Questions

Who won the match between Al-Gharafa and Al Wahda FC?

Al-Gharafa won the match 1-0 at the Thani bin Jassim Stadium.

How accurate were the teams in front of goal?

Accuracy was poor; despite 26 total shots, only 3 were on target during the match.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
41%
59%
Al-Gharafa 41%
Al Wahda FC 59%
Shots
18
8
Al-Gharafa 18
Al Wahda FC 8
Shots on Target
2
1
Al-Gharafa 2
Al Wahda FC 1
Expected Goals (xG)
0.00
0.00
Al-Gharafa 0.00
Al Wahda FC 0.00
Passes
315
456
Al-Gharafa 315
Al Wahda FC 456
Pass Accuracy
78%
81%
Al-Gharafa 78%
Al Wahda FC 81%
Corners
7
5
Al-Gharafa 7
Al Wahda FC 5
Fouls
11
11
Al-Gharafa 11
Al Wahda FC 11
Yellow Cards
4
1
Al-Gharafa 4
Al Wahda FC 1
Red Cards
1
1
Al-Gharafa 1
Al Wahda FC 1

Match Events

20' 🟨 Dame Traore
44' 🟨 Yacine Brahimi
HT
46' 🔄 J. Hamed A. Surag
50' Seydou Sano
B. Diarra Z. Ahmed 🔄 56'
59' 🟨 Dame Traore
59' 🟥 Dame Traore
64' 🔄 F. Coman Joselu
Caio Canedo M. Ghorbani 🔄 66'
F. Kruspzky D. Lazovic 🔄 76'
Jadsom O. M. Khribin 🔄 76'
Dušan Tadić 🟨 85'
87' 🔄 A. Djalo R. Boussafi
87' S. Sano (A. Gunnarsson)
88' 🟨 Khalifa Ababacar
90'+1 🔄 Y. Brahimi R. A. Al-Ali
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Al-Gharafa

Defenders
S. Sano
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
87
Goal Time
87
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.2
Rating
D. Traore
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
2
Fouls
6
Rating
S. Fadlalla
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
A. B. Khalifa
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Al Oui
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Diaz
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
A. Gunnarsson
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
7
Rating
J. Hamed
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
A. Djalo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Y. Brahimi
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
6
Key Passes
6
Key Passes
0
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
Forwards
F. Coman
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
BENCH
H. Kahiout
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
C. Lecomte
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
C. Abdulnasir
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Surag
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
R. A. Al-Ali
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Saei
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Sudarmanto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Al Zarra
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joselu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Al Ashwal
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Essam
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Boussafi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note

Al Wahda FC

Goalkeepers
M. Al Shamsi
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
1
Fouls
5.2
Rating
Defenders
Guga
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Pimenta Peres Lopes
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
S. Ivkovic
SHIELD
SHIELD
3
Blocks
3
Blocks
0
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Midfielders
R. Amaral
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Hamad
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Diarra
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
56
Entry
Jadsom
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
F. Kruspzky
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Forwards
D. Tadic
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
37%
Pass Acc
Caio Canedo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
BENCH
B. Abaelaziz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
F. I. Ogbu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Trayi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Ghorbani
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Lazovic
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. M. Khribin
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Z. Ahmed
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ali
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Abdullah
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Dehghan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Al Balushi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Pradas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note

League Standings

Pos Team P Pts GF GA GD Form
1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC 6 18 15 5 +10 WSharjah FC 0 - 1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (22-12-2025)WAl-Hilal Saudi FC 4 - 0 Al Shorta (25-11-2025)WAl-Gharafa 1 - 2 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (03-11-2025)WAl-Hilal Saudi FC 3 - 1 Al Sadd (21-10-2025)WNasaf 2 - 3 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (29-09-2025)
2 Tractor Sazi 6 14 10 2 +8 WTractor Sazi 2 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (22-12-2025)WNasaf 0 - 1 Tractor Sazi (24-11-2025)WTractor Sazi 1 - 0 Al Shorta (03-11-2025)WSharjah FC 0 - 5 Tractor Sazi (20-10-2025)DTractor Sazi 0 - 0 Al Wahda FC (29-09-2025)
3 Al-Ahli Jeddah 6 13 17 6 +11 WAl Shorta 0 - 5 Al-Ahli Jeddah (22-12-2025)LAl-Ahli Jeddah 0 - 1 Sharjah FC (24-11-2025)WAl Sadd 1 - 2 Al-Ahli Jeddah (04-11-2025)WAl-Ahli Jeddah 4 - 0 Al-Gharafa (20-10-2025)DAl-Duhail SC 2 - 2 Al-Ahli Jeddah (29-09-2025)
4 Al Wahda FC 6 13 10 5 +5 LAl-Gharafa 1 - 0 Al Wahda FC (22-12-2025)WAl Wahda FC 3 - 1 Al Sadd (25-11-2025)WNasaf 1 - 2 Al Wahda FC (03-11-2025)WAl Wahda FC 3 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (20-10-2025)DTractor Sazi 0 - 0 Al Wahda FC (29-09-2025)
5 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 6 10 11 10 +1 LAl Sadd 4 - 2 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (23-12-2025)WShabab Al Ahli Dubai 2 - 0 Al-Gharafa (24-11-2025)LAl-Duhail SC 4 - 1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (03-11-2025)WShabab Al Ahli Dubai 4 - 1 Nasaf (21-10-2025)WAl-Ittihad FC 0 - 1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (30-09-2025)
6 Al-Ittihad FC 6 9 11 8 +3 WAl-Ittihad FC 1 - 0 Nasaf (23-12-2025)LAl-Duhail SC 4 - 2 Al-Ittihad FC (24-11-2025)WAl-Ittihad FC 3 - 0 Sharjah FC (04-11-2025)WAl Shorta 1 - 4 Al-Ittihad FC (20-10-2025)LAl-Ittihad FC 0 - 1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (30-09-2025)
7 Al-Duhail SC 6 7 13 12 +1 LTractor Sazi 2 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (22-12-2025)WAl-Duhail SC 4 - 2 Al-Ittihad FC (24-11-2025)WAl-Duhail SC 4 - 1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (03-11-2025)LAl Wahda FC 3 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (20-10-2025)DAl-Duhail SC 2 - 2 Al-Ahli Jeddah (29-09-2025)
8 Sharjah FC 6 7 6 13 -7 LSharjah FC 0 - 1 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (22-12-2025)WAl-Ahli Jeddah 0 - 1 Sharjah FC (24-11-2025)LAl-Ittihad FC 3 - 0 Sharjah FC (04-11-2025)LSharjah FC 0 - 5 Tractor Sazi (20-10-2025)DAl Sadd 1 - 1 Sharjah FC (30-09-2025)
9 Al-Gharafa 6 6 7 12 -5 WAl-Gharafa 1 - 0 Al Wahda FC (22-12-2025)LShabab Al Ahli Dubai 2 - 0 Al-Gharafa (24-11-2025)LAl-Gharafa 1 - 2 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (03-11-2025)LAl-Ahli Jeddah 4 - 0 Al-Gharafa (20-10-2025)WAl-Gharafa 2 - 0 Al Shorta (29-09-2025)
10 Al Sadd 6 5 9 12 -3 WAl Sadd 4 - 2 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (23-12-2025)LAl Wahda FC 3 - 1 Al Sadd (25-11-2025)LAl Sadd 1 - 2 Al-Ahli Jeddah (04-11-2025)LAl-Hilal Saudi FC 3 - 1 Al Sadd (21-10-2025)DAl Sadd 1 - 1 Sharjah FC (30-09-2025)
11 Al Shorta 6 1 2 17 -15 LAl Shorta 0 - 5 Al-Ahli Jeddah (22-12-2025)LAl-Hilal Saudi FC 4 - 0 Al Shorta (25-11-2025)LTractor Sazi 1 - 0 Al Shorta (03-11-2025)LAl Shorta 1 - 4 Al-Ittihad FC (20-10-2025)LAl-Gharafa 2 - 0 Al Shorta (29-09-2025)
12 Nasaf 6 0 6 15 -9 LAl-Ittihad FC 1 - 0 Nasaf (23-12-2025)LNasaf 0 - 1 Tractor Sazi (24-11-2025)LNasaf 1 - 2 Al Wahda FC (03-11-2025)LShabab Al Ahli Dubai 4 - 1 Nasaf (21-10-2025)LNasaf 2 - 3 Al-Hilal Saudi FC (29-09-2025)