AFC Champions League Elite Gameweek 1, West
Al Shorta 1 - 1 FT Al Sadd
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Futmetrix Verdict
72
FT
Tue, Oct 27
Beijing Guoan
2-2
Jeonbuk Motors
⚡ Intensity
50
⚖️ Balance
80
🏆 Stakes
50
🎲 Upset
40
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Futmetrix Verdict
93
FT
Tue, Oct 27
Kyoto Sanga
5-2
Newcastle Jets
⚡ Intensity
100
⚖️ Balance
94
🏆 Stakes
50
🎲 Upset
0
Five goals turned Kyoto's two-goal hole
Futmetrix Verdict
91
FT
Mon, Oct 26
Galatasaray
2-1
Fenerbahçe
⚡ Intensity
60
⚖️ Balance
32
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
0
Osimhen's brace settles the Istanbul derby
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
28' D. Mendy
HT
48' Ahmad Farhan
58' ↓ A. Farhan ↑R. Amin
58' ↓ Leonel Ateba ↑M. Al Mawas
58' ↓ A. S. Khudhair ↑M. Sadoun
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
Ahmed Basil 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ameer Sabah 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Moisés
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Munaf Younus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Yahia
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
Dominique Mendy 
MAGNET
72
Activity
72
Activity
67
Passes
5
Duels
Bassam Shakir 
NPC
88
Minutes
88
Minutes
25%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Hussein Ali
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Christian Ateba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
58
Entry
BENCH
Shareef Abdul Kadhim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rewan Amin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hussain Jabar
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
Meshaal Barsham
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Pedro Miguel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Boualem Khoukhi 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Romain Saïss
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
R. Mujica
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Agustín Soria
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hassan Al Haydos 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Mostafa Meshaal
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Mohamed Camara
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Paulo Otávio 
ENFORCER
9
Tackles
9
Tackles
11
Duels Won
73%
Win %
Forwards
Akram Afif
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Saad Al Sheeb 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Yousef Abdulla
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Abdulrahman Bakri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Suhail
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Youcef Atal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tarek Salman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mohammed Waad
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yamaan Jarrar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pau Prim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdullah Al Yazidi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hashim Ali
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giovani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/05/2023 | Al Sadd | 2 - 4 | Al Shorta | Arab Club Champions Cup | Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium |
Al Shorta Win
Al Sadd Win
Draw
League Standings
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | GF | GA | GD | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Ahli Jeddah | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | +2 | WAl-Ahli Jeddah 4 - 2 Nasaf (15-09-2025) |
| 2 | Sharjah FC | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | +1 | WSharjah FC 4 - 3 Al-Gharafa (15-09-2025) |
| 3 | Al Wahda FC | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | WAl Wahda FC 2 - 1 Al-Ittihad FC (15-09-2025) |
| 4 | Al-Hilal Saudi FC | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | WAl-Hilal Saudi FC 2 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (16-09-2025) |
| 5 | Tractor Sazi | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DShabab Al Ahli Dubai 1 - 1 Tractor Sazi (16-09-2025) |
| 6 | Shabab Al Ahli Dubai | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DShabab Al Ahli Dubai 1 - 1 Tractor Sazi (16-09-2025) |
| 7 | Al Sadd | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DAl Shorta 1 - 1 Al Sadd (15-09-2025) |
| 8 | Al Shorta | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | DAl Shorta 1 - 1 Al Sadd (15-09-2025) |
| 9 | Al-Gharafa | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 | LSharjah FC 4 - 3 Al-Gharafa (15-09-2025) |
| 10 | Al-Duhail SC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | LAl-Hilal Saudi FC 2 - 1 Al-Duhail SC (16-09-2025) |
| 11 | Al-Ittihad FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | LAl Wahda FC 2 - 1 Al-Ittihad FC (15-09-2025) |
| 12 | Nasaf | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -2 | LAl-Ahli Jeddah 4 - 2 Nasaf (15-09-2025) |
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Al Shorta
Al Sadd
Al Shorta
Al Sadd
Possession vs. Precision: Al Shorta and Al Sadd Trade Blows
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 35/100. 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.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Continental Survival Starts in Baghdad
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 10/100. A clash of regional heavyweights where Al Sadd’s individual quality meets Al Shorta’s desperate need for a defensive reset.
The Setup
As the AFC Champions League kicks off its league phase on September 15, 2025, Al Shorta welcomes the Qatari giants to Al Zawraa Stadium. The Iraqi side enters this contest under immense pressure, carrying a Form rating that reflects five losses in their last seven outings. Defensively, they have been porous, conceding 18 goals in that span. In contrast, Al Sadd arrives with a superior Balance score, looking to leverage their continental experience to secure an early advantage in the race for the top-eight direct qualification spots. While the overall Stakes are tempered by it being the opening matchday, the "survive and advance" mentality is already taking hold for two teams seeking to find their rhythm.
Key Battle
The defining conflict of this match pits the Al Shorta defensive unit against the creative engine of Al Sadd. Without specific marquee names in the home lineup to counter the threat, the Iraqi side will likely employ a low block to frustrate the visitors. They must find a way to neutralise Akram Afif, whose ability to drift between the lines and create high-value chances makes him the game's primary protagonist. If the home midfield cannot restrict the service from Claudinho and M. Camara, it will be a long evening for the Al Shorta backline.
Our Prediction
Expect Al Sadd to dominate possession from the outset. While Al Shorta will rely on the atmosphere at Al Zawraa Stadium to keep them competitive in the first half, their defensive fragility is likely to be exploited. A breakthrough from Akram Afif shortly after the interval should open the floodgates, leading to a professional 0-2 victory for the visitors as they showcase their superior Stars power.