Domestic Leagues
Al Sadd SC clinched the Qatar Cup and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Amir Cup while Kuwait SC emerged champions for the fourth consecutive season.
Muharraq Club won the Bahraini Premier League crown, Al Ittihad moved closer to a second Saudi Pro League title in three years while there was also action in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the West Asian domestic scene.
UAE: Shabab Al Ahli fight back to take President's Cup
Yuri Cesar was the hero as Shabab Al Ahli came from behind to defeat Sharjah FC 2-1 in the UAE President's Cup final on Friday.
Sharjah FC took the lead through Marcus Meloni in the 14th minute but Cesar drew Shabab Al Ahli level just before the break.
The Brazilian midfielder then hit the winner in the 64th minute as Shabab Al Ahli added the President's Cup trophy to the UAE Super League and Super Cup titles already in their possession.
Sharjah, meanwhile, still have a chance to savour glory as they will meet Singapore's Lion City Sailors in the final of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia: Al Ittihad almost there
Karim Benzema struck twice in Al Ittihad's 3-0 win against Al Feiha on Sunday, moving the Jeddah-based side nine points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
Karim Benzema struck twice in Al Ittihad's 3-0 win against Al Feiha on Sunday, moving the Jeddah-based side nine points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
Benzema opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a left-footed shot after a clever play with Unai Hernandez.
The Frenchman struck again nine minutes into the second half, exchanging passes with Abdulrahman Al Obud before finding the bottom-left corner.
Mohammed Al Baqawi's 75th minute own goal sealed the win for Al Ittihad, who moved up to 74 points with three matches remaining.
Defending champions Al Hilal will meet Al Orobah on Monday needing victory to keep their faint hopes alive.
Al Qadisiyah moved into third place on 62 points after a 1-0 win over Al Taawoun on Sunday.
Newly-crowned AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 winners Al Ahli Saudi FC dropped to fourth following a 3-1 loss against Al Shabab.
Qatar: Al Sadd on course for treble
Al Sadd SC added the Qatar Cup to their 2024/25 haul while they stayed on course for a domestic treble after advancing to the Amir Cup quarter-finals.
The 2024/25 Qatar Stars League champions opened their defence of the Amir Cup with a 3-1 win against Al Kharaitiyat in the Round of 16.
That was followed by a 4-2 penalty shootout victory against Al Duhail SC in the Qatar Cup, with the final having ended 2-2. Al Sadd will now aim to advance to the Amir Cup semi-finals when they face Al Gharafa in their last eight tie on Wednesday.
Al Duhail also advanced to the quarter-finals following a 4-2 defeat of Al Sailiya, with Al Rayyan SC their next opponents.
The remaining Amir Cup quarter-final ties will see Al Ahli playing Al Shahania and Umm Salal meeting Al Shamal.
Iraq: Al Zawraa, Al Shorta battle continues
Al Zawraa and Al Shorta both registered 1-0 wins as they remained locked in a fierce battle for the Iraq Stars League title.
Al Zawraa defeated Diyala with Mamadou Soro Nanga scoring the winner in the 10th minute of time added on at the end of the second half.
Mohanad Ali was Al Shorta's star, scoring in the 11th minute against Al Karkh to ensure the defending champions kept pace with Al Zawraa, with both teams on 68 points.
Zakho are third on 56 points, one ahead of Al Talaba, after a 3-0 win against Al Kahraba.
Jordan: Al Hussein, Al Wehdat to decide FA Cup
Al Hussein stayed on course for a domestic double after advancing to the Jordan FA Cup final with a 1-0 win against Al Faisaly.
They will meet defending champions Al Wehdat, who advanced to the final with a 5-4 penalty shootout win against Al Ahli after the tie ended goalless.
The final will be played on Tuesday.
Lebanon: Advantage Al Ansar
Al Ansar moved three points clear after a top-of-the-table 1-0 win against Safa on Wednesday.
The victory moved Al Ansar to 26 points in the playoff standings.
Al Ahed - who defeated defending champions Nejmeh 1-0 - are third with 21 points.
Oman: Al Seeb end campaign with draw
Champions Al Seeb Club completed their season with a 1-1 draw against Al Nasr on Thursday.
They finished the season on 51 points, four clear of Al Nahda who beat Al Rustaq 2-0.
Oman Club took third place with 39 points, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sohar in their final match of the season.
Bahrain: Muharraq Club confirm title
Muharraq Club claimed their 35th Bahraini Premier League title with a 6-1 win against Manama Club.
The title was sealed with four matches in hand, with Muharraq on 47 points.
Outgoing champions Al Khalidiyah are second with 36 points but have played a game more.
Kuwait: Kuwait SC make it four in a row
Kuwait SC confirmed their fourth consecutive title with a 2-1 win against second-placed Al Arabi on Sunday.
Trailing to Kamil Al Aswad's eighth minute goal, Kuwait SC equalised through Mohammad Daham in the 64th minute.
Mohamed Marhoon followed up with the winner four minutes later to confirm a 20th league title for Kuwait SC.
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