Al Sadd 1-2 Al Ahli Player Ratings: Goncalves Strikes Winner as Al Ahli Bag Crucial 3 Points

Al Ahli picked up a tense 2-1 win over Al Sadd, overcoming a gripping AFC Champions League Elite match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The game witnessed enough chances and drama, but Al Ahli ultimately stood tall, thanks to their superior finishing quality. Riyad Mahrez scored the opening goal for Al Ahli first half before Claudinho equalised for Al Sadd after the interval. Matheus Goncalves did not take much time to restore the lead for Al Ahli with a commendable strike. Al Sadd should be appreciated for their efforts, but it was Al Ahli who had the last laugh in the AFC Champions League Elite group fixture. In the article below, check out Al Sadd vs Al Ahli Player Ratings in detail.

Al Sadd Player Ratings vs Al Ahli

Here are Al Sadd player ratings from Al Sadd vs Al Ahli game in AFC Champions League Elite:

Goalkeeper

Meshaal Barsham - 6.0: A difficult night for the keeper. He only made one save and conceded two goals. Wasn't directly at fault for either strike but couldn't produce a moment of magic to keep his team in it. His distribution was decent, but he'll be disappointed with the result.

Defenders

Tarek Salman - 6.5: A very busy performance. He won a staggering 10 duels and was a willing runner, but from our perspective, being dribbled past three times is a concern. He tried to contribute offensively, but his defensive responsibilities were a real challenge against a fluid attack.

Paulo Otávio - 6.5: Got forward well and tried to make things happen, even creating a chance. However, he was a bit loose in possession, losing the ball 12 times. He battled hard, winning most of his duels, but was caught out of position occasionally.

Romain Saïss - 7.0: Probably the most composed of the Al Sadd defenders. His passing from the back was impressive, completing 61 passes and creating two chances which is excellent for a centre-back. Made a crucial last-man tackle, showing his experience, though he was part of a defense that conceded twice.

Ahmed Suhail - 5.5: A tough outing for Suhail. He picked up a yellow card and lost more duels than he won. While he made five clearances, he looked shaky at key moments. He seemed to struggle with the pace and movement of the Al Ahli forwards.

Midfielders

Mohamed Camara - 6.0: Tidy in possession with 90% pass accuracy but lacked a real impact on the game. He kept things ticking over but didn't provide the defensive shield or the forward thrust needed to change the game's momentum. Substituted after 79 minutes.

Akram Afif - 7.5: Al Sadd's main creative force, as always. He provided the assist for Claudinho's goal and created three chances in total. He was constantly trying to make things happen, but even he couldn't drag his team over the line. Picked up a late yellow for a frustrated tackle.

Claudinho - 7.0: Got his goal with a well-taken finish to bring his team level. He was heavily involved, with 92 touches and an array of passes. The downside was losing possession 19 times, which really stalled some of his team's attacks. A mixed but ultimately impactful performance.

Giovani - 5.5: A very quiet game for the midfielder. He was largely anonymous before being substituted just before the hour mark. He failed to impose himself on the match, completing only 9 passes. We honestly expected more from him.

Forwards

Roberto Firmino - 6.0: A frustrating night for the Brazilian. He showed flashes of his class, creating two chances for his teammates. However, missing a big chance himself sums up his and his team's night. Not the clinical performance we expect from a player of his stature.

Rafa Mujica - 5.5: It just wasn't his night. He was a presence in the box and had five shots, but none found the net. Hitting the woodwork was a moment of sheer bad luck, but a striker of his quality needs to be more clinical. A performance full of effort but zero end product.

Manager

F. Sanchez Bas - 5.5: His team played some good football and created numerous opportunities but were let down by poor finishing and defensive lapses. He couldn't find a tactical solution after his side went behind for the second time. A frustrating day at the office for him.

Al Ahli Player Ratings vs Al Sadd

Here are Al Ahli Player Ratings from Al Ahli vs Al Sadd game in AFC Champions League Elite:

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy - 8.0: What a performance. He made five saves, several of which were crucial to keeping his team in the contest, especially during a period of intense Al Sadd pressure. Commanded his area well. The error leading to a shot was a minor blip on an otherwise commanding display.

Defenders

Roger Ibañez - 6.5: A warrior's performance. He made a vital last-man tackle and five clearances. However, he also picked up a yellow card and looked rushed at times, losing possession more than he would have liked. Did just enough to keep the attackers at bay.

Mohammed Sulaiman - 7.0: A very solid and underrated display. He won all of his ground duels and was composed on the ball. He made four clearances and an important interception. A reliable presence at the back who just went about his business effectively.

Ali Majrashi - 5.5: The weak link in the Al Ahli defence. He struggled against Al Sadd's attackers, committed three fouls and earned a yellow card. He looked vulnerable one-on-one and was lucky not to be punished more severely.

Matteo Dams - 7.0: An all-action performance from the defender. He picked up an early yellow card but didn't let it affect him, making six clearances and three interceptions. He was aggressive and strong in the tackle, a real defensive asset on the night.

Midfielders

Valentin Atangana - 8.5: Our man of the match. A phenomenal defensive midfield performance. He won seven of his eight duels, made four interceptions, and recovered the ball six times. He was an absolute rock in the middle of the park, breaking up play and protecting his defence magnificently.

Riyad Mahrez - 8.0: The touch of class. He scored the crucial opening goal with a typically composed finish. While he was substituted on 78 minutes, his contribution was decisive. He provided the cutting edge that Al Sadd lacked.

Enzo Millot - 6.5: Provided the assist for Mahrez's goal, which is a massive contribution. However, he struggled physically, losing eight duels and was dispossessed twice. It was no surprise to see him substituted after a hard-working but mixed display.

Franck Kessié - 7.0: A powerful presence in the midfield. He drew fouls, made crucial clearances, and used his physicality to disrupt Al Sadd's rhythm. He wasn't always tidy in possession, but his work rate and defensive contributions were vital for the team's structure.

Forwards

Firas Al-Buraikan - 6.5: A tireless worker up front. He didn't offer a huge goal threat but his hold-up play and defensive work were important. He won a surprising number of aerial duels and occupied the defenders, creating space for others.

Matheus Gonçalves - 8.0: The match-winner. He scored a brilliant goal from a difficult angle to seal the three points. He was a constant threat with his dribbling and direct running. A livewire performance that made the difference in a tight game.

Manager

M. Jaissle - 8.0: His game plan worked to perfection. His side was organized defensively and ruthless on the counter-attack. They absorbed pressure when needed and took their chances when they came. A masterful away performance orchestrated by the manager.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Valentin Atangana with 8.5/10 ratings.