Al Sadd secured a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in their opening match of 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite league stage at a packed Zawra Stadium in Baghdad on Monday, September 15, 2025.

It was Hassan Al Haydous who struck in the 61st minute to help Al Sadd pull level with the hosts after Dominique Mendy had given them a headstart in the 28th minute.

Al Haydous slotted in from just inside the box after close action ensued following an Al Sadd header hitting off the crossbar.

Earlier, Felix Sanchez’s Al Sadd almost found a way in the 24th minute when Al Haydous lobbed a neat pass to Rafa Mujica, only for the forward to miscue his volley from inside the box.

Akram Afif had a chance to snatch victory in the third minute of stoppage time, but skied his close-range effort as the sides settled for the share of spoils.