Al Sadd SC whose team has regularly taken part in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions. Qualification for Qatari clubs is determined by a team's performance in its domestic league and cup competitions, Al Sadd SC regularly qualifies for the primary Asian competition, the Asian Cup, by winning the Qatar Stars League or placing second or third. Al Sadd SC have also achieved Asian qualification via the Emir of Qatar Cup and have played in both the former Asian Club Championship and the Asian Cup Winners' Cup. The first match was against Al-Futowa and ended in victory for 4–1, as for the biggest win result was in 2023 against Al-Faisaly 6–0, and biggest loss firstly in 2014 against Al-Hilal and the secondly in 2015 away against Lokomotiv Tashkent 5–0 all in the AFC Champions League.
Al Sadd Crowned Champions of Asia in 1989: A Historic Milestone for Qatari Football
In a landmark achievement for both Qatari and Arab football, Al Sadd etched its name in Asian football history by clinching the 1988–89 Asian Club Championship (now known as the AFC Champions League), becoming the first Qatari club to win a continental title. The final stage of the tournament took place in Kuantan, Malaysia, where Al Sadd faced off against some of Asia’s top clubs. Despite the fierce competition, the Qatari side showed remarkable determination and resilience throughout the tournament, eventually advancing to the final.[1]
In one of the most thrilling finals in the history of the Asian Club Championship, Al Sadd emerged as the 1989 champions after a dramatic two-legged clash against Iraq’s Al-Rasheed known today as Al-Karkh SC. The final was held under a home-and-away format. The first leg, played in Baghdad in front of over 10,000 fans, saw the home side start strong. Al-Rasheed raced to a 3–0 lead in the first half with goals from legendary forward Ahmed Radhi and a brace by Abdul-Kadhim. The Iraqis appeared poised to put the tie to bed. However, the resilient Al Sadd team mounted a crucial comeback in the second half. Goals from Khalid Salman and Mohammed Ghanim reduced the deficit to 3–2, giving the Qatari side two vital away goals heading into the second leg.[1]
The return leg in Doha, held on the first day of Ramadan, was marked by intensity and anticipation. The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, seemingly favoring the visitors who only needed to avoid defeat to clinch the title. But in the 82nd minute, Al Sadd’s striker Salman produced a moment of magic, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and shifting the balance of the tie. Despite a late surge by Al-Rasheed, Al Sadd held firm. The aggregate score ended 3–3, but the Qataris were crowned champions thanks to the away goals rule a historic first for both the club and Qatari football. This unforgettable victory marked Al Sadd’s first Asian title, and made them the first Qatari club to lift a continental trophy, laying the foundation for future ambitions on the Asian stage.[1]
Al Sadd’s Road to Glory: AFC Champions League 2011 Triumph
After a series of early exits from the group stages between 2006 and 2010, Al Sadd returned in 2011 to write a new chapter in their Asian football history and achieve a landmark that restored their continental prestige. Drawn into Group B, Al Sadd faced strong opponents such as Pakhtakor, Al-Nassr, and Esteghlal. However, the Qatari side surprised everyone by delivering a strong performance, finishing the group as leaders without a single defeat, and qualifying for the Round of 16 with high confidence. In the Round of 16, Al Sadd met a tough Saudi opponent, Al-Shabab in a one-legged knockout match. The team managed to secure a hard-fought 1–0 victory, thanks to a goal by Abdullah Koni and continuing their quest for the title. In the quarter-finals Al Sadd faced Sepahan of Iran. Despite a 1-0 defeat in the first leg, the AFC Disciplinary Committee later awarded Al Sadd a 3-0 forfeit win, after it was confirmed that Sepahan had fielded an ineligible player. Although Al Sadd lost again in the return leg, the official first-leg result was enough to see them through to the semi-finals.
Al Sadd players celebrating their second time winning the ACL trophy
The semi-final presented a strong Korean challenge in the form of Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The first leg in South Korea ended 1-1 and Al Sadd managed to hold out for a 0–0 draw in the return leg in Doha, qualifying for the final on the away goals rule.[2] The final was nothing short of dramatic. Held in South Korea, Al Sadd faced one of the continent’s most formidable sides Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Jeonbuk took the lead, but Al Sadd responded with goals from Sim Woo-Yeon against his own goal and Abdul Kader Keïta to go 2–1 ahead. In the dying minutes, Jeonbuk equalized to make it 2–2, sending the match into extra time and eventually penalties. In the shootout, Mohamed Saqr delivered a heroic performance, saving two penalties, and leading Al Sadd to a 4–2 win, securing the club’s second AFC Champions League title, and the first under the tournament’s modern format. With this continental triumph, Al Sadd became the first Arab club to win the AFC Champions League in its current structure, earning a spot in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup as Asia’s representative a historic achievement that will forever be remembered.[3][4]
New era of AFC Champions League Elite
On 14 August 2023, it was confirmed that the new format would come into effect from the 2024–25 season, with the name of the competition changing to AFC Champions League Elite.[5] The AFC has also confirmed that AFC Champions League records and statistics would be carried forward to the ACL Elite.[6] The match between Al Sadd and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale was one of the most thrilling encounters of the season’s AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals. Despite Al Sadd’s strong performance and fighting spirit, the outcome wasn’t in their favor, as a decisive goal in extra time secured a 3–2 victory for the Japanese side. What made the clash so exciting was the rapid exchange of goals between the two teams. Al Sadd refused to back down each time they fell behind, responding with two equalizers a testament to their determination and resilience. However, Kawasaki’s physical edge and perhaps some small details during extra time ultimately tipped the balance in their favor.[7][8]
This List of All-time appearances for Al Sadd SC in asian competitions contains football players who have played for Al Sadd SC in asian football competitions and have managed to accrue 25 or more appearances.
Gold Still playing competitive football in Al Sadd SC.[note 3]
↑ On 9 July 2020, AFC announced new schedule for 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.[22][23] On 16 July 2020, AFC announced that Qatar would host 2020 AFC Champions League in the West region from the group stage to the semi-finals.[24] On 27 July 2020, AFC confirmed that Malaysia would host matches of Group G and H.[25]
↑ On 11 March 2021, AFC confirmed the hosts for the group stage, except for Group H and I whose hosts will be decided at a later date.[27] On 10 May 2021, AFC confirmed the hosts for Group H and I.[28]
↑ Since 2010 AFC Champions League as of game against Al-Hilal on February 24, 2010, Statistics correct as of game against Kawasaki Frontale on April 27, 2025.
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