Al Sadd registered their first win in the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite as they beat Esgethlal of Iran 2-0 in the second round of their West Zone clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday, September 30, 2024.

While goalkeeper Hossein Hoosseini conceded an own goal in the 40th minute, Akram Afif scored the next for Al Sadd in the 68th minute through a penalty strike.

The Wolves’ win comes after their fighting 1-1 draw against Al Ain of the UAE in away game on September 16, 2024.

The win takes Al Sadd’s tally to four points from their first two games in the league phase, while Esteghlal remained on three points following their opening-round victory over Al Gharafa.

Al Sadd were a bit subdued at the start in front of their home fans and in the 12th minute goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham had to ‘fly’ to keep a challenging kick from Esteghlal’s Blanco Leschuk away.

The hosts soon found momentum to their attack and kept pushing the visitors hard but lacked in their finishing.

In the 33rd minute, a Rafa Mujica kick for Al Sadd hit the right post.

Al Sadd’s consistent pressure finally produced results as an Afif corner kick was punched into his own goal by Estgehlal goalkeeper Hosseini who had jumped high to get to the ball.

Esteghlal then tried to retaliate, but an Iman Salimi header from the centre of the box was saved by Barsham in the bottom right corner.

Early in the second half, Al Sadd made two fast breaks, but on both occasions they failed to beat the rival goalkeeper, much to the dismay of coach Felix Sanchez.

Soon, Afif made a rollicking charge and seemed headed to strike when Esteghlal’s Roozbeh Cheshmi brought the Al Sadd player down with a foul tackle. And the referee signalled to the spot while flashing the yellow card against Cheshmi.

Afif converted from the spot as Al Sadd went up 2-0.

Later towards the end, Afif again unleased a powerful kick which just missed the top right corner of the right post.

Al Sadd will next play Iranian side Persepolis FC in another home match on October 21.