Al Sadd and Al Ahli Saudi FC played out a goalless draw in Monday’s fourth-round fixture in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Ahli controlled long spells of the match but could not turn their dominance into a goal, with Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham making several important saves. The Qatari side also created opportunities to catch their opponents on the break, but neither team found a breakthrough despite late pressure from the visitors.
The result leaves Al Sadd on two points in 15th place, second from bottom. Al Ahli move to eight points and sit third.
Both sides began cautiously, although Al Sadd registered the first notable attempt when Roberto Firmino’s effort from outside the area in the eighth minute was blocked by the defence.
Al Ahli were forced into an early change when Valentin Atangana suffered an injury in the 15th minute and was replaced by Ziyad Al-Jehani three minutes later. Al Sadd’s Akram Afif was booked in the 23rd minute, before Galeno received the game’s second yellow card three minutes later.
Edward Spertsyan shot wide from distance in the 27th minute, while Al Sadd threatened through Claudinho and Giovani. Edouard Mendy saved Claudinho’s effort in the 30th minute, and Giovani sent his shot over the crossbar.
Barsham then denied Roger Ibanez, who headed towards goal from a Spertsyan cross in the 39th minute. The goalkeeper was called into action again two minutes later, pushing Galeno’s powerful effort from inside the area behind for a corner.
Claudinho missed a chance for Al Sadd in stoppage time when he shot over from outside the box, leaving the teams level at half-time.
Al Ahli resumed with greater attacking intent. Ivan Toney shot wide after meeting a Galeno cross in the 46th minute and went close again with another effort four minutes later.
Mendy kept out Firmino’s attempt from inside the area in the 52nd minute and saved from Claudinho in the 64th. Al Sadd had replaced Mohamed Camara with Mostafa Mashaal in the 51st minute and Giovani with Hashem Ali in the 69th.
Al Ahli made further changes because of injuries, with Rayan Hamed replacing Mohamed Suleiman in the 59th minute. Hamed was booked in the 67th minute, before Al Ahli made their final three substitutions together in the 81st minute, bringing on Firas Al-Buraikan, Ibrahim Diaby and Matheus Goncalves for Ivan Toney, Artem Bondarenko and Trincao.
Mendy saved from Firmino in the 77th minute, while Al Ahli continued to test the Al Sadd defence. Barsham denied Matheus Goncalves in the 84th minute and stopped Ibrahim Diaby’s header four minutes later.
Roger Ibanez then headed over from another Spertsyan delivery, ensuring the match finished as it had started, with both goals untouched.
