Seydou Sano expressed satisfaction after producing a dramatic finish that delivered Al Gharafa SC a narrow success over Al Wahda FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ meeting on Monday.
Seydou Sano expressed satisfaction after producing a dramatic finish that delivered Al Gharafa SC a narrow success over Al Wahda FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ meeting on Monday.
The single breakthrough arrived late on, as Sano converted Aron Gunnarsson’s assist in the 87th minute to separate the teams and ensure a 1-0 outcome in favour of the Doha-based club.
That result raised Al Gharafa’s tally to six points, leaving them firmly in contention for progression with two fixtures still to be played in the league phase.
Reflecting on the contest, Sano credited the collective spirit within the squad and the guidance of head coach Pedro Martins, highlighting the importance of securing maximum points to remain competitive in the group.
Martins acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter, noting that Al Wahda held the upper hand before the interval, even though his side fashioned the clearer openings. He added that control shifted after the restart, with Al Gharafa dictating possession and generating repeated threats.
Both teams were reduced to 10 players, yet Martins praised his squad’s adaptability and tactical awareness in that scenario, while also stressing the need for sharper finishing in matches decided by fine margins.
From the opposing perspective, Al Wahda coach Dimas Teixeira pointed to crucial incidents after halftime as decisive factors in the defeat, despite his team having already secured qualification.
He explained that dominance before the break faded following a penalty decision and the dismissal of goalkeeper Mohamed Al Shamsi, events that altered the balance and limited their strategic options.
Al Wahda remain on 13 points and face demanding clashes with Al Ahli Saudi FC and Al Hilal SFC in February, while Al Gharafa will target positive results against Al Ittihad Club and Iran’s Tractor FC as they pursue a place in the Round of 16.
