Away Point, Big Steps: Al Wahda Grabs a Priceless Draw at Tractor in Iran

Match Snapshot

Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates earned a precious point on the road at Tractor Sazi in Tabriz, Iran, as their AFC Champions League Elite West clash finished in a goalless draw. The result leaves the UAE side well placed behind a bright first-round win over Al Ittihad in Abu Dhabi, with four points from two games.

Tractor Sazi collected two points from two outings after a 1-1 draw with Shabab Al-Ahli in Dubai, a result that keeps the Iranian outfit in the hunt but under mounting pressure as the group action continues.

The draw is a meaningful outcome for Al Wahda, offering a rare away-day reward in a tough group, while Tractor will rue missed opportunities that could have turned the tide in their favour.

Calm Start and Tactical Discipline

The lineup for Al Wahda was balanced, with Mohammed Al Shamsi in goal, a back four of Alaa Zuhair, Ogio, Lucas Pimenta and Robin Philippe, and a midfield trio of Jadson Silva, Fa Kondu, Brahima Diarra, plus Dusan Tadich and Mohammed Qurbani supporting a front line led by Kaio Kanido.

Tractor answered with Ali Reza Beiranvand in goal, a sturdy back line featuring Aleksandar Sidlar, Daniil Esmailifar, Mehdi Shiri and Shuja Khalizadeh, and a midfield quartet of Igor Postonjský, Odyljon Zamirobićov, Amir Hossein Zadeh and Mohammad Nádri, while Mehdi Hashemjgad and Tomislav Strkalj led the attack.

The match began at a measured tempo, with Al Wahda absorbing early energy from the home crowd while maintaining discipline to limit Tractor’s threat. The first notable moment arrived in the 15th minute when Brahima Diarra unleashed a powerful volley from outside the box after a precise Tadich pass, but the Tractor defence stood tall.

Mutual Pressure, Clean Defences

Tractor answered with a rapid counter and a long-range attempt from Mehdi Shiri, forcing a save from Al Shamsi and then a header that sailed over the bar. The first half remained goalless, with Al Wahda enjoying greater control and Tractor seeking chances on the break.

Second-Half Push and Narrow Misses

In the second half, Tractor pressed higher in search of a breakthrough. A 46th-minute header drifted wide, followed by a Teammate effort from Kaio Kanido that tested Beiranvand as the tempo stayed brisk but the final finishing touch remained elusive.

At 55 minutes, Fa Kondu attempted a snap shot from the edge of the box, but the ball was cleared by the Iranian defence at the last moment. The game remained open, with both sides resisting lapses in a tense, tactical duel.

The clearest moment arrived in the 88th minute when Tomislav Strkalj ripped a powerful volley from the left that cannoned off the crossbar, denying Tractor a late winner and sealing the goalless outcome.

In stoppage time, Al Wahda’s Alaa Zuhair produced a crucial clearance to deny a late scoring chance, and the referee called time with the scoreboard still showing 0-0.

Group Standings and What’s Next

Al Wahda move to four points after two matches, reinforcing their strong start in the continental competition and cementing their chances of progression. Tractor remains on two points and will need positive results in their upcoming games to stay in contention.

The third round of West Zone fixtures is set for October 20-21, featuring Al Wahda against Al Duhail in Abu Dhabi; Al Shorta versus Al Ittihad in Baghdad; Tractor facing Sharjah in Sharjah; Al Ahli against Al Gharafa in Jeddah; and on October 21, Shabab Al Ahli hosting Nasaf in Dubai, while Al Hilal meets Al Sadd in Riyadh.

Competition Format

Each team plays eight group-stage matches, with the top eight from each region advancing to the knockout rounds. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be staged in a centralized format in Saudi Arabia in April 2026, adding a unique flavor to this year’s edition.

Punchlines

If defense were a lottery, both teams bought a ticket and walked away with a free, but non-winning, ticket—still a good day for the cleaners of the box.

And if patience were a footballer, tonight’s match would be their testimonial match: plenty of runs, zero goals, and a standing ovation for the most stubborn backline in town.