Gharafa vs Al-Shorta: A West Asia Showdown in the AFC Champions League Elite
28 septembre 2025
Gharafa vs Al-Shorta: West Asia Showdown in the AFC Champions League Elite
Al-Gharafa of Qatar hosts Al-Shorta of Iraq on Monday at Khalifa International Stadium in Rayyan, as the second round of the West Asia group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite unfolds.
Pedro Martins, the Gharafa coach, told reporters on Sunday that the team must play with full focus to beat a respectful opponent, noting that in this Elite competition any result is possible.
He added that the match is not decisive, and the aim is to reach the next stage by collecting points and delivering successive victories through hard work.
Moamen Suleiman, coach of Al-Shorta, said his team came to Qatar to assert control over Gharafa and show its character in the AFC Champions League Elite, stressing that the meeting will be a tough test against a strong, respected side.
He emphasized that Al-Shorta relies on collective play and team thinking, noting he has not asked for more than expected from his players.
He also noted that the previous game against Al-Sadd was a good day, especially since it was the team's first match of the year.
The first round saw Gharafa lose dramatically as Sharjah struck twice in stoppage time to win 4-3, a painful setback for the Qatari side.
Having failed to advance from the group last season, Gharafa will lean on home advantage to overcome Al-Shorta, starting their campaign with valuable points in Asia.
Al-Shorta also dropped two points in their opener against another Qatari side, Al-Sadd, with a 1-1 draw in Baghdad.
Three key players will miss the trip: Brazil’s Lucas Moses, out with an injury; striker Salem Ahmed, sidelined by a hamstring issue; and Amir Sabah, whose condition prevented travel.
Lucas Moses will travel to Lebanon for further tests with a medic from the squad.
Matchday notes: The West group also features Monday fixtures including Al-Wehda vs Al-Duhail in Abu Dhabi, Al-Shorta vs Al-Ittihad in Baghdad, Sharjah vs Tractor in Sharjah, and Al-Ahli vs Al-Gharafa in Jeddah. On Tuesday, Shabab Al-Ahli vs Nasaf in Dubai and Al-Hilal vs Al-Sadd in Riyadh are on the slate. Al-Ahli Saudi sits atop the West standings with three points from one game; Sharjah, Al-Hilal, and Al-Wehda follow on goal difference, while Sdd, Shabab Al-Ahli, Al-Shorta, and Tractor each have one point; Gharafa, Duhail, Al-Ittihad, and Nasaf are still without points.
Each team in the West plays eight matches in this phase, and the top eight advance to the Round of 16, scheduled for March 2026; the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will be held in a centralized format in Saudi Arabia in April 2026.
Injury/availability notes aside, the stage is set for a tense confrontation that could reshape the group standings early in the campaign. The atmosphere at Khalifa International Stadium will likely tilt the balance in favor of the hosts if they press high and pressuring midfielders effectively.
Punchline time: If football is a comedy, this one’s a thriller—expect a plot twist at stoppage time and a referee with a whistle that doubles as a mood ring. And for good measure: nothing says drama like a group-stage clash with eight matches to go and a crowd that believes every ball could spark a miracle.
Two more lines for the record: If goals were clocks, this game would be a perpetual minute-hand sprint. And if the crowd’s energy had a level, it would be set to “stun.”
