Al Sadd keen to revive campaign against Al Qadsiah as Gharafa face Al Ahli SFC

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

Al Sadd will face Al Qadsiah on Monday needing a win to improve their chances of advancing in the 2026 AFC Champions League Elite after two losses, while also trying to break a six-match winless streak against Saudi teams. Meanwhile, Al Gharafa will take on defending champions Al Ahli in a key Group A clash as both Qatari sides aim to solidify their positions early in the tournament.

Al Sadd will look to regain momentum in their 2026 AFC Champions League Elite campaign when they face Saudi Arabia’s Al Qadsiah on Monday. The 2011 champions of the tournament enter the match needing a victory to enhance their chances of advancing to the knockout stage after suffering two consecutive defeats in their first two group games.

The Qatari side also aims to end a challenging run against Saudi opposition, having failed to win in their last six encounters—losing five and drawing one—while conceding a total of 17 goals. Al Sadd coach Razvan Lucescu acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture but emphasized his team’s determination to secure a positive result. “We have a tough match ahead of us against a strong team with quality players,” Lucescu said during the pre-match press conference. He added that the squad is prepared to confront the demands of the competition and stressed the importance of displaying resilience and Al Sadd’s characteristic spirit on the field.

Defender Tarek Salman echoed the coach’s views, underscoring the need for concentration against an Al Qadsiah team he described as both capable and progressing. “We must be fully focused throughout the match and work hard to collect our first three points in the tournament,” Salman stated.

Al Qadsiah will be eager to extend their unbeaten start in the tournament and capitalize on home advantage. A draw or better would place them among a select group of Saudi clubs to remain unbeaten after three matches in the competition, but the team aims to secure all three points following a strong domestic season start.

In a separate Group A encounter, Al Gharafa will face the defending champions Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. The Qatari club’s coach, Pedro Martinez, urged his side to build on recent performances against Al Hilal and Esteghlal, despite not having secured victories in those matches. Martinez described the upcoming game as a fiercely contested battle akin to their previous encounters with top regional clubs. “Al Ahli are the title holders for the past two seasons with distinguished players, but we are fully focused and will fight to get the points,” he said.

Forward Yacine Brahimi emphasized the team’s determination to achieve a positive outcome for their supporters, acknowledging the high quality of Al Ahli’s roster while highlighting Al Gharafa’s potential to influence the match.

Historically, Al Ahli have maintained an unbeaten streak in their last six AFC Champions League Elite meetings with Al Gharafa, including three wins and three draws, though they have failed to score in only one of their eight encounters. The defending champions will need to tighten their defense, after conceding in both previous group matches, including a late equalizer against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in their opening game.

Both matches, scheduled on Monday, are pivotal for the Qatari teams as they seek to establish themselves in the early stages of the 2026 AFC Champions League Elite.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.