Al Gharafa climbed into the qualification slots for the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday as Pedro Martins’ side handed Pakhtakor a 1-0 defeat in Doha that also confirmed Al Gharafa’s position in the top two of their group, keeping their hopes of advancing to the next stage well and truly alive.
The only goal of the night came through a stunning strike from Sassi, whose individual brilliance decided the outcome of the match and gave Al Gharafa a vital three points that propelled them up the table.
Pakhtakor, who had started the match in confident fashion, were ultimately left to rue their missed opportunities in front of goal as the home side defended resolutely to secure a hard-fought victory.
The win marked a major turning point in Al Gharafa’s campaign, as they bounced back from a run of inconsistent results to reaffirm their status as one of the top contenders for a spot in the knockout rounds.
With this latest triumph, Pedro Martins’ men will be looking to build on their momentum and push on in their quest for glory, as they face off against their remaining opponents in a bid to book their place in the next stage of the competition.
As the AFC Champions League Elite continues to heat up, fans can expect plenty more drama and excitement in the coming weeks, and Al Gharafa will be firmly in the mix as they aim to make a deep run in the tournament.