AFC Champions League League Phase West - 1

Al Shorta 1 - 1 FT Al Sadd

Al-Zawraa Stadium

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

Futmetrix Verdict
17
FT
Mon, Sep 15
Al Shorta
1-1
Al Sadd
⚡ Intensity 14
⚖️ Balance 16
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 0
A tactical stalemate at Al Zawraa.

Possession vs. Precision: Al Shorta and Al Sadd Trade Blows

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 17/100. A hard-fought point that does little to aid Al Shorta's climb from the bottom while keeping Al Sadd within touching distance of the knockout spots.

Tactical Control at Al Zawraa Stadium

At the historic Al Zawraa Stadium, Al Shorta entered the fray desperate to ignite their continental campaign. From the early stages, the hosts established a clear pattern of play, recording 59% possession as they controlled possession against their Qatari visitors. Despite this territorial advantage, the opening exchanges were defined by a measured tempo rather than explosive action. An Intensity rating of 2.5 reflects a match where both sides prioritized structural integrity over high-risk attacking transitions. The Al Shorta midfield circulated the ball with an impressive 87% pass accuracy, searching for gaps in a disciplined Al Sadd shape that seemed content to absorb pressure and strike on the counter-attack. The atmosphere in Baghdad was tense, with the home supporters urging their side to translate dominance into a tangible lead.

The Efficiency Paradox

The game's Balance score of 1.6 highlights how parity was maintained despite the disparity in ball retention. While Al Shorta dictated the rhythm, their inefficiency in the final third became the central narrative. Of their 9 total shots, only two found the target, with many efforts restricted to long-range attempts from outside the box. In contrast, the Al Sadd frontline proved far more surgical when they did venture forward. Despite only having 41% of the ball, the visitors managed to create higher-quality openings within the penalty area, including six shots from inside the box. The 1-1 scoreline was a direct result of this clash in philosophies: the intricate, possession-heavy approach of the Iraqi side versus the direct, counter-punching style of the visitors. Neither side could find the decisive second goal to break the deadlock during a cagey second half.

Stagnation in the Standings

As the match drew to a close, the Stakes rating of 1.0 underscored the missed opportunity for both clubs to climb the AFC Champions League table. For Al Shorta, this draw extends a frustrating winless run to seven matches, leaving them languishing in 11th place with just two points. The inability to convert 59% possession into three points highlights a recurring issue for the Baghdad-based club this season. Meanwhile, Al Sadd will likely view a point away from home as a functional result, keeping them in 8th position and within reaching distance of the next phase. However, with zero Upset factor recorded, this result largely followed the expected trajectory of two sides struggling for consistent form. Both teams leave the pitch knowing that while they avoided defeat, their respective paths to the next round remain steep.

Key Questions

How does this result affect the standings?

Al Shorta remains 11th and winless, while Al Sadd stays in 8th place with 8 points from 7 matches.

Who dominated possession?

Al Shorta controlled the match with 59% possession, though they only managed 2 shots on target.

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
59%
41%
Al Shorta 59%
Al Sadd 41%
Shots
9
7
Al Shorta 9
Al Sadd 7
Shots on Target
2
1
Al Shorta 2
Al Sadd 1
Expected Goals (xG)
0.00
0.00
Al Shorta 0.00
Al Sadd 0.00
Passes
463
331
Al Shorta 463
Al Sadd 331
Pass Accuracy
87%
79%
Al Shorta 87%
Al Sadd 79%
Corners
5
1
Al Shorta 5
Al Sadd 1
Fouls
10
13
Al Shorta 10
Al Sadd 13
Yellow Cards
3
1
Al Shorta 3
Al Sadd 1
Red Cards
0
0
Al Shorta 0
Al Sadd 0

Match Events

28' D. Mendy
HT
48' 🟨 Ahmad Farhan
58' 🔄 A. S. Khudhair M. Sadoun
58' 🔄 A. Farhan R. Amin
58' 🔄 Leonel Ateba M. Al Mawas
H. Al Haydos (R. Mujica) 62'
Pedro Miguel T. Salman 🔄 65'
69' 🟨 Ahmed Yahya
Tarek Salman 🟨 69'
H. Al Haydos M. Waad 🔄 72'
M. Meshaal Giovani 🔄 72'
83' 🟨 Mahmoud Al Mawas
88' 🔄 B. Shakir S. Abdulkadhim
R. Mujica Y. Atal 🔄 90'+1
90'+2 🔄 A. Qasim S. Ahmed
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Al Shorta

Goalkeepers
A. Basil
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
A. S. Khudhair
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Moises Lucas
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. Younis
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Yahia Alwan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
A. Qasim
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Farhan
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Mendy
MAGNET
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
67
Passes
5
Duels
B. Shakir
NPC
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
25%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
H. Ali
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Leonel Ateba
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
BENCH
S. Abdulkadhim
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Amin
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Jabbar
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Ahmad
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Kareem
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Sadoun
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ashabi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Salih
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Ahmed
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Al Mawas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Mohammed Dawood
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Abdulkhaleq
👻 Invisible Nothing to note

Al Sadd

Goalkeepers
M. Barsham
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Pedro Miguel
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
B. Khoukhi
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
R. Saiss
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
R. Mujica
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Soria
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Al Haydos
SNIPER
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
M. Meshaal
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
M. Camara
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Paulo Otavio
ENFORCER
ENFORCER
9
Tackles
9
Tackles
11
Duels Won
73%
Win %
Forwards
A. Afif
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
S. Al Sheeb
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Y. Abdullla
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Bakri Al Ameen
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Suhail
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Atal
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Salman
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Waad
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Jarrar
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Prim
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Al Yazidi
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Ali
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giovani
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
05/08/2023 Al Sadd 2 - 4 Al Shorta Arab Club Champions Cup Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium
05/08/2023
Arab Club Champions Cup Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium
Al Shorta Win
Al Sadd Win
Draw

League Standings