Domestic Leagues
Al Sadd SC brought the Qatar Stars League season to a close with a thrilling win while Shabab Al Ahli lost ground in the UAE Pro League race.
Al Seeb Club moved within three points of the title in Oman while there was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across West Asia.
Al Seeb Club moved within three points of the title in Oman while there was also action in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Syria so join the-AFC.com in our weekly review of the domestic scene across West Asia.
Saudi Arabia: Al Qadsiah stun Al Nassr
Al Qadsiah threw the Saudi Pro League title race wide open with a stunning 3-1 defeat of leaders Al Nassr Club on Sunday. Cristiano Ronaldo's side went into the tie on a 20-match winning streak - with 16 of them coming in the league - but found Al Qadsiah in inspired form.
The home side took the lead in the 24th minute through Mohammed Waheeb Abu Al Shamat with Joao Felix drawing Al Nassr level six minute before the break.
Musab Fahd Aljuwayr restored Al Qadsiah's advantage in the 55th and Julian Quinones sealed the points with his strike in the 78th minute.
Al Qadsiah threw the Saudi Pro League title race wide open with a stunning 3-1 defeat of leaders Al Nassr Club on Sunday. Cristiano Ronaldo's side went into the tie on a 20-match winning streak - with 16 of them coming in the league - but found Al Qadsiah in inspired form.
The home side took the lead in the 24th minute through Mohammed Waheeb Abu Al Shamat with Joao Felix drawing Al Nassr level six minute before the break.
Musab Fahd Aljuwayr restored Al Qadsiah's advantage in the 55th and Julian Quinones sealed the points with his strike in the 78th minute.
The defeat left Al Nassr - seeking their first title since the 2018-19 season - on 79 points, five ahead of Al Hilal SFC who have a match in hand and kept their hopes alive with a 3-0 win against Al Hazem, with Karim Benzema (9th), Marcos Leonardo (82nd) and Ruben Neves (pen, 90+3) finding the target.
Al Ahli Saudi, who retained the AFC Champions League Elite™ title last week, stayed third with a 4-0 victory against Al Akhdoud. They moved up to 69 points, one ahead of Al Qadsiah.
Al Ahli Saudi, who retained the AFC Champions League Elite™ title last week, stayed third with a 4-0 victory against Al Akhdoud. They moved up to 69 points, one ahead of Al Qadsiah.
Qatar: Al Sadd sign off in style
Champions Al Sadd SC concluded their Qatar Stars League season with a 3-2 win against Al Shamal.
Quickfire goals from Akram Afif (20th) and Roberto Firmino (22nd) gave them a comfortable lead before Baghdad Bounedjah (65th) pulled one back for Al Shamal.
Champions Al Sadd SC concluded their Qatar Stars League season with a 3-2 win against Al Shamal.
Quickfire goals from Akram Afif (20th) and Roberto Firmino (22nd) gave them a comfortable lead before Baghdad Bounedjah (65th) pulled one back for Al Shamal.
Paulo Otavio restored Al Sadd's two-goal advantage in the 68th minute with Jeson Murillo's 85th minute penalty proving to be a consolation for Al Shamal.
Al Sadd finished on 45 points, five ahead of their beaten opponents with Al Rayyan third on 38 points. Al Gharafa SC (36) and Al Duhail SC (33) completed the top five.
Al Sadd finished on 45 points, five ahead of their beaten opponents with Al Rayyan third on 38 points. Al Gharafa SC (36) and Al Duhail SC (33) completed the top five.
UAE: Stalemate blow for Shabab Al Ahli
Shabab Al Ahli's hopes of defending their UAE Pro League suffered a setback following a 3-3 draw with Khor Fakkan.
Needing victory to stay within reach of leaders Al Ain FC, a topsy-turvy match saw Shahab Al Ahli taking the lead through Yuri Cesar in the 15th minute.
Shabab Al Ahli's hopes of defending their UAE Pro League suffered a setback following a 3-3 draw with Khor Fakkan.
Needing victory to stay within reach of leaders Al Ain FC, a topsy-turvy match saw Shahab Al Ahli taking the lead through Yuri Cesar in the 15th minute.
Aylton Boa Morte equalised in the 34th, with Mateusao's own goal three minutes later putting Khor Fakkan ahead. Cesar drew Shabab Al Ahli level three minutes into the second half with Ahmed Abdulla Ishak restoring Khor Fakkan's advantage in the 59th.
Sardar Azmoun, however, salvaged a point for the defending champions with a stoppage-time strike as Shabab Al Ahli moved up to 53 points - six behind Al Ain - with three matches remaining.
Sardar Azmoun, however, salvaged a point for the defending champions with a stoppage-time strike as Shabab Al Ahli moved up to 53 points - six behind Al Ain - with three matches remaining.
Bahrain: Khalidiya move five clear
Al Khalidiya SC opened a five-point lead in the Bahraini Premier League after edging Al Budaiya 1-0 on Sunday.
Al Khalidiya SC opened a five-point lead in the Bahraini Premier League after edging Al Budaiya 1-0 on Sunday.
The victory took the pacesetters to 51 points but defending champions Al Muharraq Club can narrow the gap with victory against Al Najma on Monday.
Al Muharraq kept themselves in the race after a 1-0 win against Budaiya on Thursday. Al Riffa stayed third following a 3-2 defeat of Al Ahli, moving up to 40 points - seven clear of Malkiya who defeated Bahrain SC 4-0 on Sunday.
Al Muharraq kept themselves in the race after a 1-0 win against Budaiya on Thursday. Al Riffa stayed third following a 3-2 defeat of Al Ahli, moving up to 40 points - seven clear of Malkiya who defeated Bahrain SC 4-0 on Sunday.
Iraq: No mistakes from Air Force
Mohammed Jawad scored in the 22nd and 61st minutes as Air Force SC defeated Al Minaa 2-0 to maintain their tight grip on the Iraq Stars League title race.
Mohammed Jawad scored in the 22nd and 61st minutes as Air Force SC defeated Al Minaa 2-0 to maintain their tight grip on the Iraq Stars League title race.
Victory moved the leaders to 74 points, seven clear of defending champions Al Shorta, who defeated Al Naft.
Al Shorta are only a point ahead of Erbil, who edged Al Karkh 1-0. Six matchdays remain as the season approaches its conclusion.
Al Shorta are only a point ahead of Erbil, who edged Al Karkh 1-0. Six matchdays remain as the season approaches its conclusion.
Jordan: Al Hussein in control
Al Hussein maintained pole position in the Jordanian Pro League with a comfortable 2-0 win against Sama Al Sarhan on Sunday.
Al Hussein maintained pole position in the Jordanian Pro League with a comfortable 2-0 win against Sama Al Sarhan on Sunday.
Midfielder Sisa put the defending champions ahead in the eighth minute with forward Reziq Bani Hani adding the second just before the break as Al Hussein moved up to 59 points, three clear of Al Faisaly.
Al Faisaly stayed in the race thanks to Khair Mohannad's 90th minute winner after they had squandered a two-goal lead against Al Ramtha. Al Wehdat lost ground on the top two after settling for a 1-1 draw with Al Salt, with Al Hussein eight points in front of them.
Al Faisaly stayed in the race thanks to Khair Mohannad's 90th minute winner after they had squandered a two-goal lead against Al Ramtha. Al Wehdat lost ground on the top two after settling for a 1-1 draw with Al Salt, with Al Hussein eight points in front of them.
Oman: Al Seeb three points away
Al Seeb Club are almost sure of retaining the Oman Pro League title after a 2-1 win against Dhofar.
Al Seeb Club are almost sure of retaining the Oman Pro League title after a 2-1 win against Dhofar.
Midfielder Omar Al Fazari put Al Seeb ahead in the 21st minute with defender Mohammed Al Mahri drawing Dhofar level in the 55th.
Reduced to 10 players as the match entered additional time, Nasser Al Rawahi struck a late winner as Al Seeb moved up to 60 points, 13 ahead of Al Shabab, who only have five matches remaining. Al Nasr sit a point behind Al Shabab, who have played a match less.
Reduced to 10 players as the match entered additional time, Nasser Al Rawahi struck a late winner as Al Seeb moved up to 60 points, 13 ahead of Al Shabab, who only have five matches remaining. Al Nasr sit a point behind Al Shabab, who have played a match less.
Syria: Homs Al Fidaa close in
Homs Al Fidaa edged leaders Al Ittihad Aleppo 1-0 to narrow the gap at the top to just one point in the Syrian Premier League.
Homs Al Fidaa edged leaders Al Ittihad Aleppo 1-0 to narrow the gap at the top to just one point in the Syrian Premier League.
The victory took Homs Al Fidaa to 41 points with Al Wahda, who lost 2-0 to Al Hurriya - third on 36 points. Al Karamah moved within a point of Al Wahda following a 2-0 defeat of Damascus Al Ahli.
