Al Rayyan edge Al Faisaly 4-3 in ACL Two

Al Rayyan SC of Qatar began their AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 campaign with a narrow 4-3 victory over Jordan's Al Faisaly in a pulsating Group C opener on Wednesday. The Qatari side survived a spirited second-half fightback from their Jordanian opponents to secure all three points in a match that produced seven goals.

The match started cautiously, with both teams struggling to find an early rhythm. Al Faisaly's Ahmad Ersan sent an effort over the bar from a corner in the fourth minute. Al Rayyan's free-flowing attack nearly broke the deadlock soon after, but Roger Guedes saw his shot from outside the box blocked.

Al Rayyan did not have to wait long for the opener. From the resulting corner in the sixth minute, David García rose highest to head Otavio's delivery into the bottom left corner. The Qatari side doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute. Drissa Diakite's clever flick released Roger Guedes, who raced into the box and tucked away the rebound after his initial shot struck the post.

Guedes remained a constant threat, testing goalkeeper Al Abdallah Al Fakhorii with a long-range effort. Al Rayyan added a third goal just before halftime. In the 41st minute, Otavio delivered a perfect cross for Ahmed Alaa, who powered a diving header into the net. Al Faisaly grabbed a key lifeline in first-half stoppage time, however, with Saidou Simpore converting from close range after being set up by Ahmad Ersan.

Second Half Surge and Fightback

Al Rayyan continued to control the game after the restart and seemed to have sealed the victory in the 73rd minute. Hazem Shehata finished from the centre of the box following a cutback from Ahmed Al Ganehi, restoring the host's three-goal cushion.

The Jordanian side refused to surrender. In the 80th minute, Mohammad Haddad reacted quickest to fire a rebound into the top corner after Ersan's shot hit the post. Al Faisaly then set up a nail-biting finish in the 84th minute. Ahmad Ersan curled a superb right-footed free-kick into the top corner, reducing the deficit to just one goal.

Despite the late pressure, Al Rayyan held firm in the closing minutes to secure the win. The AFC Champions League Two is an annual club competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation, with qualification based on domestic league and cup performance.

The result gives Al Rayyan a winning start in a group that also features clubs from other Asian nations. Al Faisaly, who compete in Jordan's top domestic division organized by the Jordan Football Association, will look to bounce back in their next fixture. The thrilling encounter showed the competitive nature of the continent's expanding club tournaments.