World Cup Spirit Fuels Sadd, Jaissle Bets on Al-Ahli's Teamwork
3 November 2025
Match Preview
The Qatari side Al-Sadd faces a tough test against Al-Ahli Saudi FC on Tuesday evening at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, as the West Region Elite AFC Champions League group stage moves into Round 4 of the 2025-26 campaign.
Al-Sadd sit on two points, while Al-Ahli lead the standings with seven. The Qatari giants have struggled this campaign, while Al-Ahli's defense has been solid as they push toward the knockout stage.
Al-Sadd’s recent continental form has been worrying: a 1-3 loss to Al-Hilal in their last ACL outing, after opening with a 1-1 draw against Al-Shorta and another 1-1 draw with Al-Sharjah.
The setback underscores Sadd’s challenges this season, with defending the domestic title and delivering a solid continental showing proving difficult; they have not won in their last four Elite ACL matches, having conceded five goals so far this season.
We believe in our capabilities, the Sadd camp reiterated, as they head to a match they describe as a proving ground for their temper and teamwork.
Team Voices
Coach Sergio Allegri said at a pre-match press conference that they are ready for Al-Ahli and that there’s no heavy pressure, but the duty to win rests on the players and the team.
He added that the campaign hasn’t started perfectly, but he believes in his squad and will give everything for the fans, with Qatar’s 2026 World Cup appearance viewed as a positive boost for the clubs’ performances abroad.
He concluded that the focus is on Sadd and tomorrow’s fixture, outlining a plan to control the game and craft attacking solutions, while seeking support from their supporters to deliver the desired result.
Rafa Mujica, Sadd player, said the team prepared well and that they expect a very tough match, but their goal is victory, to delight their fans with three valuable points.
Opposition Perspective
He also added that they need their fan support in this match as a chance to correct course at home and to push for qualification in this edition of the Asian competition.
Meanwhile, Al-Ahli’s coach Matias Jaissle stated: “This will be a tough game; Sadd is a quality side with standout players. We will look to perform at our best and defend our reputation as Asia’s top team.”
He continued: “We do not fear Sadd and will defend our 21-match unbeaten run in ACL; Frank Kesi is a key figure for us and has proven his impact from day one.”
Frank Kesi himself added: “We face Sadd with great significance, carrying the title and aiming to keep our perfect run going, playing as one unit.”
The round 4 fixtures in the West region will be played on 24-25 November across several venues, including Nasaf vs Tractor in Qarshi, Al-Duhail vs Al-Ittihad in Doha, Shabab Al-Ahli UAE vs Al-Gharafa in Dubai, and Al-Ahli vs Al-Sharjah in Jeddah. On 25 November, Al-Wahda UAE vs Sadd in Abu Dhabi, and Al-Hilal Saudi vs Al-Shorta in Riyadh.
Each team will play eight group matches; the top eight in each region advance to the Round of 16, set for March 2026, with quarterfinals, semifinals and the final to be held as a bracket in Saudi Arabia in April.
Punchline: If football were a stand-up set, Sadd’s defense would be the quiet intro—solid, relentless, and somehow still letting one slip in as the audience roars. Punchline 2: And if Al-Ahli’s attack is a punchline, it lands just as confidently—unbeaten, sharp, and always leaving the crowd wanting one more goal before the curtain falls.
