AFC Champions League Elite

Doha [Qatar], February 18: Al Sadd SC breathed life into their AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 hopes with a 2-0 win against Tractor FC at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.
The win moved Qatar's Al Sadd to eight points while it was Tractor's first defeat, with the Islamic Republic of Iran side having already confirmed Round of 16 qualification.
Al Sadd's early high pressing game almost came to fruition in the ninth minute when Akram Afif whipped in a cross for Roberto Firmino, whose glancing header drifted just wide off the left post.
The Iranian side made their presence felt five minutes later with Domagoj Drozdek getting at the end of a counter-attacking move, forcing Al Sadd keeper Meshaal Barsham into a save.
Al Sadd refused to let Tractor settle as they stayed on the offensive with Rafa Mujica, Giovani and Boualem Khoukhi all threatening from inside the box.
Tractor continued to look dangerous on the counter and they almost punished Al Sadd in the 32nd minute when Drozdek set up Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh at the top of the box, only for the midfielder to drag his effort wide.
Al Sadd came knocking on Tractor's door in the 52nd minute with Hashim Ali seeing his deflected shot from inside the area sail over the bar, while Barsham stayed sharp to tip over Hosseinzadeh's effort off a counter-attacking move.
The Qatari side's positive approach saw them take the lead in the 61st minute after Afif nodded Pedro Miguel's cross into the path of Mujica, who controlled beautifully before slotting past Tractor keeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Barsham, who had a quiet first half, stayed calm to deflect ​​Regi Lushkja's stinging shot in the 73rd minute before Tibor Halilovic wasted another opportunity for Tractor to draw level when he dragged his effort just wide off the right post.
Al Sadd came close to netting their second in the 83rd minute but Claudinho saw his close-range effort saved by Beiranvand before Hashim sent the follow-up over the bar.
Firmino guaranteed the victory for Al Sadd in the 89th minute after Claudinho set-up the Brazilian at the far post for an easy finish.
Champions in 2011, Al Sadd will target another three points in their final League Stage clash against Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad Club, with the hope it will be enough to take them through.
Source: Qatar Tribune