The Saudi Al-Qadsiah first football team returns to Qatari pitches after an absence lasting more than 32 years, to face Al-Gharafa on Monday at the second Bin Jassim Stadium in Doha. This participation comes within the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite, where Al-Qadsiah visits the Qatari team amid historical aspirations.
The last visit by Al-Qadsiah to Doha was 32 years, 11 months, and 21 days ago, specifically on November 12, 1993, when they faced Qatari Al-Arabi in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup semi-final. That match paved the way for the team to make history, becoming the first Saudi and Arab club to win the title after defeating Al-Arabi and then South China in the final.
For his part, Al-Qadsiah aims to achieve a positive result against Al-Gharafa, backed by prominent stars, most notably Mexican striker Julian Quinones, a candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, and under the leadership of Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers. This match comes in the context of a series of successful encounters between Al-Qadsiah and Qatari teams at the continental level.
Data indicates that Al-Gharafa is the third Qatari team Al-Qadsiah faces continentally, having played three previous matches against Al-Arabi and Al-Sadd without any defeat, achieving one win and two draws, the last of which was a 1-1 draw with Al-Sadd on October 26. Al-Qadsiah sits seventh in the West group, while Al-Gharafa tops the standings without points.
In the same context, each team plays eight matches during the league stage, with the top eight teams from both the East and West groups advancing to the round of 16. The round of 16 will be played next March, while the knockout rounds, from the quarter-finals to the final, will be held in a single-leg format in Saudi Arabia.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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