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QNB Stars League side Al Sadd stormed into the knockout stage of AFC Champions League following a 2-1 victory against the UAE’s Al Wasl on Monday.

Striker Baghdad Bounedjah did the star turn for Al Sadd with a timely brace in front of home supporters. The Algerian has been among goals for The Wolves at both domestic and continental levels.

Al Sadd now top Group C with 12 points, followed by Iran’s Persepolis (10) and Uzbekistan’s Nasaf (seven). Al Wasl have yet to open their account.

Al Sadd surged ahead in the ninth minute when Bounedjah pounced on Abdulrahman Ali’s back-pass before calmly slotting the ball past Yousif Abdulla.

Bounedjah set up skipper Xavi Hernandez to tap in from close range in the 29th minute, but the effort was ruled offside. Al Sadd had many chances, but the scoreline remained the same for the rest of the first half.

Soon after resumption, Al Wasl made their first dangerous attempt, with Ronaldo Mendes curling in a fine free-kick that was kept out by goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari.

Bounedjah was at it again in the 53rd minute as he netted his seventh goal of the tournament by finishing off Akram Afif’s low cross with a back-heeled finish.

The tall forward worked in tandem with Akram and Hassan Al Haydous as the hosts created openings.

Bounedjah almost completed his hat-trick in the final minute after being set up by Akram once again, but he miscued his shot with the goal at his mercy.

Al Wasl pulled one back two minutes into stoppage time when Caio Canedo produced a deft finish.

Al Sadd thus secured a spot in the Round of 16 and will face Persepolis in Tehran in the last round on 16th April.

Al Wasl stayed bottom of the table after a fifth straight defeat and will next play Nasaf.