Qatar’s Al Sadd kicked off their campaign in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in grand style by beating Oceania champions Hienghene Sport 3-1 in the tournament’s opener on Wednesday, 11th December.

Baghdad Bounedjah (26th minute), Abdelkarim Hassan (100th minute) and Pedro Miguel (114th minute) scored for Al Sadd in a match that went into extra time after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regular time.

Amy Roine netted Hienghene Sport’s goal in the 46th minute.

The Qatari champions, coached by Xavi Hernandez, dominated New Caledonian team Hienghene Sport throughout the match.

However, Felix Tagawa’s wards put up a brave fight against the hosts and fought back to take the fight to extra time.

Al Sadd, competing in the Club World Cup for the second time after 2011 in Japan when they won the AFC Champions League that year, created chances time and again.

The scoreline would have swelled had it not been for the alertness of Hienghene Sport goalkeeper Nyikeine.

Al Sadd had two goals disallowed for offside, in the 39th (by Akram Afif) and 65th minute (by Hassan Al Haydous).

Bounedjah took Al Sadd ahead off a cross from Abdelkarim Hassan.

After Boualem Khoukhi headed straight to the goalkeeper in first-half injury time, Al Sadd continued from where they left off even though Hienghene Sport hit back soon after the restart.

However, the visitors could not survive a wave of attacks by the reigning QNB Stars League champions in extra time.

Abdelkarim Hassan found the mark off a free-kick set up by Al Haydous and Pedro then struck with a rising shot to complete the tally.

Al Sadd will next play CONCACAF champions CF Monterrey on Saturday, 14th December.