Qatari team Al Sadd achieved a valuable and strategic victory away from home by defeating their Iranian host Tractor 2-0 in the strong match that brought them together on Tuesday evening, as part of the seventh and penultimate round of the league stage in the AFC Champions League for the 2025-2026 season.

The match witnessed a high level of tactical performance from the Qatari team, who successfully absorbed the home side's initial enthusiasm before launching their decisive attacks in the second half. The brilliant Rafa Mojica opened the scoring for Al Sadd in the 61st minute, putting pressure on the Iranian team. Before the final whistle, Brazilian star Roberto Firmino delivered the final blow, scoring the second goal in the 89th minute, securing Al Sadd's well-deserved three points.

A precious gift for Al-Hilal Saudi and securing the top spot

This victory was not only important for improving Al Sadd's position in the standings, but it also served as a golden gift to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. As a result, Tractor Sazi of Iran remained on 14 points in third place, a full four points behind leaders Al Hilal. With only one round remaining (three points available), it became mathematically impossible for any team to catch Al Hilal, officially securing the top spot in the West Zone group before even playing their final match.

Team standings and the struggle for qualification in the elite

With this crucial victory, Al Sadd raised their points tally to 8, jumping to eighth place in the West Zone standings, the last qualifying spot for the Round of 16. This intensifies the competition in the final round to secure a place in the next stage. Meanwhile, Tractor's points total remains at 14, level with Al Ahli Saudi (on goal difference) in second place, and ahead of Al Wahda of the UAE in fourth.

The importance of the new system for the continental championship

These results take on added significance under the new format of the AFC Champions League, where West Asian teams compete in a single group in a round-robin format. Finishing first, which Al-Hilal secured, grants a significant advantage in the knockout stage draw, as they will face the eighth-placed team, theoretically easing their path to the later rounds, in addition to the advantage of playing the decisive matches at home.

Al-Hilal is scheduled to conclude its journey in this round with a celebratory match - in terms of the top spot calculations - when it hosts its Emirati counterpart Al-Wahda on Monday evening, in a match in which Al-Hilal will seek to confirm its absolute dominance over the Asian continent and the best preparation for the knockout stages.

Coach Rodgers, the manager of Al-Qadsia, emphasized his strong confidence in his players, praising their high fighting spirit and unwavering determination demonstrated in recent training sessions and matches. Rodgers' remarks highlighted the players' improved mental state, asserting that their desire to win is the primary driver for achieving their goals in upcoming competitions.

Rodgers singled out young player Saleh Abu Shamat, describing him as possessing exceptional technical and physical abilities that make him a key pillar for the team's future. The coach noted that Abu Shamat has tactical intelligence and great versatility on the pitch, giving the coaching staff multiple options for utilizing him in a way that benefits the team.

A rich history and renewed ambitions for Beni Qadis

These statements come at a time when Al-Qadisiyah, known as the "Knight of the East," is undergoing a significant transitional phase in its history. Al-Qadisiyah is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Saudi Arabia, having produced numerous prominent players who have represented the national teams for decades. With recent developments and the acquisition by Aramco, ambitions have soared for a strong return to the podium and fierce competition with the top teams in the Saudi Professional League.

The importance of mental preparation in modern football

Rodgers' talk of "willpower" focuses on a vital aspect of modern football: psychological and mental preparation. In the highly competitive landscape of Saudi Arabian football today, talent alone is no longer enough. Tactical discipline and mental fortitude have become crucial factors in winning major matches. The coach's emphasis on these aspects reflects an awareness of the demands of this era, as he seeks to build a strong team identity based on on-field leadership.

The impact of young talent on the team's future

Praising players like Abu Shamat is not merely a form of moral support; it sends a clear message about the club's strategy of investing in young talent. Saleh Abu Shamat is a model of the modern Saudi player, capable of adapting to contemporary playing styles. The presence of such young talents gives the team continuity and dynamism, confirming that Al-Qadisiyah is not only looking for immediate results but also planning for a sustainable future that will ensure its continued competitiveness for many years to come.

In conclusion, the message from the coaching staff seems clear: Al-Qadisiyah is coming with the will of its players and the talent of its stars, and relying on the collective spirit is the key to the return of the Knight of the East to its natural place among the greats.

The technical staff of Al-Ettifaq Club, led by national coach Saad Al-Shehri, received a huge moral and technical boost before the difficult and anticipated match against Al-Hilal Club, as part of the competitions of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League, which is scheduled to be held on the grounds of the “Kingdom Arena” stadium, the new stronghold of the leader.

Al-Ettifaq's group training session saw the return of talented star Khalid Al-Ghannam, who participated actively after being declared fully medically and physically fit for the upcoming match. This return comes after a period of absence during which the player suffered from muscle pain that required a special rehabilitation program, before the medical staff gave him the green light to fully recover and rejoin the squad in preparation for the crucial match.

The return of Al-Ghannam is of paramount importance to coach Saad Al-Shehri, who relies heavily on the player's individual brilliance and speed in attacking transitions, especially against a team of Al-Hilal's caliber, boasting a strong midfield and defense. Al-Ettifaq aims to secure a positive result in this match in Riyadh, the capital, to continue their recent run of good form and demonstrate the team's improved performance under Al-Shehri's leadership.

Al-Ettifaq enters the match with high morale, having secured a valuable and well-deserved 2-0 victory against Damac in the previous round of the Saudi Professional League. This win not only earned the team three points but also restored confidence among the players and fans in the team's ability to compete with the top teams and improve their position in the league standings.

On the other hand, facing Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena presents a unique challenge for any Saudi Pro League team, given the club's formidable fan base and technical prowess, as well as the stadium's modern facilities and world-class pitch. This match comes amidst fierce competition in the Saudi Pro League this season, with clubs striving to accumulate as many points as possible to secure top positions that qualify for continental competitions or ensure their safety from relegation. This makes the Al-Ettifaq vs. Al-Hilal match one of the most anticipated fixtures of the round.

It is worth noting that matches between the two teams are always characterized by competitiveness and excitement, and are considered a real test of Al-Ettifaq’s technical and mental readiness to face the league leader or the main competitor for the title, which places a great responsibility on Khaled Al-Ghannam and his teammates to deliver a performance worthy of the club’s history and the ambitions of its wide fan base.