Swinging Doha Showdown: Al-Ahli’s Asian Quest Faces Qatar’s Toughest Test
3 November 2025
Match Preview
Al-Ahli travels to Doha for a potentially toughest test of the current AFC Champions League Elite campaign, facing host Al-Sadd on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the group stage.
This will be Al-Ahli’s third Qatar showdown this season as they press on with defending their continental crown, taking on Al-Sadd on the home ground of the latter after drawing 2-2 with Al-Duhail and blasting Al-Gharafa 4-0 earlier.
Al-Sadd appears to be the hardest test among Qatar’s teams, especially in clashes with Al-Ahli.
Al-Ahli rely on a strong record against Qatari clubs in general, but they must improve their head-to-head with Al-Sadd, a contest where the Qatari side holds a slim edge.
Before Tuesday’s game, Al-Ahli had played 27 meetings with Qatari sides, recording 12 wins, 9 draws and 6 defeats.
Against Al-Sadd specifically, Al-Ahli has faced them seven times, making them the second-most frequent Qatari opponent after Al-Gharafa (eight). The Saudi side has won two, drawn two, and lost three, making the record lean toward the visitors.
Coach Matias Jaissle aims to alter the direct head-to-head tally, even when it means playing on Al-Sadd’s home turf in the Qatari capital.
Across other Qatar clashes, Al-Ahli has generally dominated against Al-Rayyan in their three meetings, while against Al-Gharafa they have won three of eight, drawn three and lost twice.
Against the Army side, Al-Ahli won three of four, drew once and never lost, while they lost once to Al-Duhail and won the same number of times, with three draws in the rest.
Galeno’s Return and Title Defense
Hope is high that Wanderson Galeno will be back in the squad after a long injury layoff that kept him out since the season’s start.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhia reported that Galeno will join the squad traveling to Doha on Monday, in the build-up to the much-anticipated fixture.
Jaissle, after receiving a medical report, confirmed the Brazilian’s readiness for match action but with a measured return to avoid a relapse, following a 30-minute run against Pyramids last September in the Africa Asia-Pacific Cup.
Despite recovery, the plan is for a gradual comeback, with Galeno likely starting on the bench and getting a late cameo to ease back into full duty in coming fixtures.
Injury complications and misdiagnoses also feature in the saga, leading the club’s board to replace the medical staff in charge of the first team to protect the title defense.
Since his injury against Nasaf Qarshi, Al-Ahli’s attacking output has dipped; Galeno remains a core piece in the coach’s plans and in big-match production.
As the group race continues, Al-Hilal leads the table on full points, while Al-Ahli seek to keep pace and safeguard their continental crown.
Note: two light-hearted lines to close the piece—If uncertainty were a sport, the medical staff would be champions by now. And if comebacks were a transfer, Galeno’s would be a blockbuster—no trailer needed.
