Shabab Al Ahli claimed an important 2-0 victory over Al Gharafa SC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 meeting on Monday. The side from the UAE dictated the rhythm from the opening whistle and built their success on two first-half strikes from Kauan Santos and Guilherme Bala.
Shabab Al Ahli claimed an important 2-0 victory over Al Gharafa SC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 meeting on Monday. The side from the UAE dictated the rhythm from the opening whistle and built their success on two first-half strikes from Kauan Santos and Guilherme Bala.
Head coach Paulo Sousa underlined the significance of the performance, noting that the opposing team has shown strong league form. He emphasized that overcoming such opponents gives the win greater weight and reflects the team’s preparation and discipline.
Sousa pointed out that his players managed key phases of the match well, producing chances both from structured situations and rapid breaks. According to him, this level of control was essential in steering the match in their favor.
He added that managing the squad remains a priority as the group nears the next phase. With several players unavailable due to national team duties, he stressed the need to restore as many options as possible.
Al Gharafa head coach Pedro Martins acknowledged that early errors shaped the match. He explained that two mistakes in the opening 15 to 20 minutes created a difficult scenario, especially with several absentees affecting the team’s balance.
Martins noted that after the shaky start, his players adjusted and competed with more stability. He credited them for regaining composure and handling the match with improved organization as the game progressed.
During the second half, the Qatari team adopted a more daring approach in an attempt to turn the tide. Martins said the squad produced openings and maintained effort until the end but ultimately could not match the intensity of their opponents.
He reaffirmed that the team’s ambition is still to progress from the group. Despite the setback, he expressed pride in the squad’s determination and unity during a challenging sequence of matches.
The victory lifted Shabab Al Ahli to 10 points, keeping them firmly positioned in the race for qualification to the next round. Their consistency in this stage has placed them among the contenders to advance.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa remain on three points after suffering their fourth consecutive defeat. The team now turns attention to their next opportunity to recover form.
Al Gharafa’s upcoming match will be against Al Wahda FC on December 22. Shabab Al Ahli are set to face Al Saad SC in their following fixture.
