Al Sadd Stages Thrilling Comeback with Mujica’s Hat-Trick

In a stunning display of resilience, Al Sadd SC overturned a two-goal deficit to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory against Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. This victory marks Al Sadd’s first win of the campaign, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.

The match began with Shabab Al Ahli taking a commanding lead, with goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani putting them ahead 2-0. Just when it seemed Al Sadd was on the brink of elimination, Rafa Mujica emerged as the hero, scoring a remarkable hat-trick to turn the tide. Tarek Salman later added a fourth goal, sealing the comeback.

Mujica Credits Team Spirit for Victory

Mujica emphasized the importance of self-belief in their victory. “We played a great match and it was truly very difficult,” he stated. “We were down by two goals, but the coach gave me confidence, and I was able to score three goals. I’m happy that I could help the team and I thank the coach for believing in me.” His performance not only showcased his skills but also highlighted the team’s fighting spirit.

Head coach Roberto Mancini praised his squad’s determination after the challenging start. “The match wasn’t easy,” he commented. “We were down by two goals, but we came back strong and showed determination until the final minutes. We deserved this important victory.” Mancini noted a crucial penalty conceded during the match but remained optimistic about the team’s future, saying, “This victory is a good opportunity for us to get back on track—both domestically and continentally. We must continue to work hard.”

Frustration for Shabab Al Ahli

On the other side, Shabab Al Ahli’s head coach Paulo Sousa expressed disappointment at the turn of events. With his team leading comfortably, Sousa felt the momentum shifted in the latter stages of the match. “After the first goal, we were the better team,” he explained. “We were leading by two goals until late in the match, but in football anything can happen. To come out losing 4-2 is very difficult to accept.”

With the win, Al Sadd aims to build on this momentum as they prepare to face Tractor FC of Iran and Al Ittihad Club from Saudi Arabia when the season resumes in February 2024. Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahli will look to regroup as they face Al Hilal SFC and Al Ahli Saudi FC in their upcoming matches.