Desert Derby: Wahda Aims High in AFC Elite as Mancini Clings to Hope with Al Sadd
24 November 2025
Match context
Al Wahda, the UAE-based side, is targeting a deeper run into the AFC Champions League Elite West when they host Qatar’s Al Sadd on Tuesday night at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, in the fifth round of Western Zone fixtures.
Wahda enters the clash following a notable 2-1 away win over Nasaf three weeks earlier and carries a five-match winning streak against fellow Qatari clubs in the competition.
Historically, Wahda and Al Sadd have traded draws in their four most recent meetings. With key attackers in good form, Wahda believe a victory is within reach.
Wahda’s coach Jose Morais acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture, saying the team would give their all to keep progressing in the tournament and help the squad go far in the competition.
Mohammed Al Shamsi, Wahda’s goalkeeper, stressed the importance of a strong performance, noting that the match would be challenging but that the team is ready to push for a win and maintain positive results in Asia’s premier club competition.
Morais also called on Wahda fans to fill the Al Nahyan stands in support, hoping their backing can lift the team toward the outcomes they crave for advancement in the AFC Elite.
On the opposing bench, Italian Roberto Mancini has recently taken the helm at Al Sadd, the 2011 AFC Champions League winner, as the Qatar club looks to restart its continental campaign on a positive note.
Despite a complex continental campaign, Al Sadd has not suffered a loss to UAE sides in 17 matches, and they arrive in Abu Dhabi seeking a strong start to their campaign, with limited on-site training time in the city so far.
Both camps noted the significance of the fixture, with Mancini insisting Wahda’s quality is high and that victory is non-negotiable for his side if they are to keep their knockout hopes alive in the West region of Asia’s premier club competition, while Al Sadd’s players stressed the need to secure three points to keep the dream of advancing intact.
Wahda had already collected a strong group-stage record: a 2-1 win over Al Ittihad (Saudi) in Abu Dhabi, a goalless draw with Tractor (Iran) in Tabriz, a 3-1 home win over Al Duhail (Qatar), and a 2-1 win against Nasaf in Karshi. Al Sadd, by contrast, had drawn their first two games at home and away, before suffering defeats to two heavyweight clubs in their latest fixtures, underscoring the task awaiting them in Abu Dhabi.
Beyond this match, the rest of Round 5 in the West Zone features two giants clashing in Riyadh as Al Hilal hosts Al-Shorta, with the standings showing a tight race in the group: Hilal lead with 12 points, followed by Wahda and Al Ahli on 10, Traktor on 8, Shabab Al-Ahli on 7, Al Ittihad on 6, Duhail and Shardja on 4, and Al Sadd on 2 with Al Shorta on 1; Nasaf still seeking their first points.
Looking ahead, Round 6 is scheduled for 22-23 December 2025, with fixtures including Shabab Al-Ahli vs Hilal in Sharjah, Tractor vs Duhail in Tabriz, Al Sadd vs Shabab Al-Ahli in Doha, and others across the West region. Each team will play eight group-stage matches, with the top eight advancing to the Round of 16 in March 2026; quarterfinals, semis, and the final to be held in Saudi Arabia in April 2026.
In short, both Wahda and Al Sadd are fighting for a path to Asia’s knockout rounds, with momentum, discipline, and a dash of home-field belief potentially swinging the balance.
Cap off the night with a good joke: If Wahda win, the trophy will finally need a passport. If Al Sadd win, their defense will deserve a map, because even the ball might need directions to find the goal.
