Doha, September 29 (QNA) - Al Gharafa SC defeated Iraq's Al Shorta 2-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 tie on Monday.

Strikes from Joselu and Ferjani Sassi earned Pedro Martins' side the points as Al Gharafa got on the winning trail after having suffered a 4-3 defeat against UAE's Sharjah FC in their opener, the AFC website reported.

Al Shorta, meanwhile, are still seeking their first win after having played to a 1-1 draw with Qatar's Al Sadd SC two weeks ago. 

The home side were almost caught napping by a counter-attacking move in the fifth minute when Ahmed Yahia powered down the left and relayed the ball to Mahmoud Al Mawas, whose shot rattled the left post from inside the six-yard-box.

Al Gharafa came close to taking the lead in the 13th minute when Joselu pounced on a poor back pass from Mehdi Ashabi, only to see his effort from an acute angle strike the right post.

The Iraqi outfit had a great chance just moments later after Mahmoud Al Mawas lost his marker down the right and set up Leonel Ateba who fumbled his shot from close range.

The duo almost conjured the opener just after the half-hour mark when Al Mawas timed his run to perfection to slip the ball to Ateba, whose effort from inside the box was foiled by Al Gharafa keeper Amine Lecomte-Addani.

At the other end, Al Shorta wasted their best chance of the half from a fast break which saw Fabricio Díaz play the ball across to Ahmed Al Ganehi, who skied his effort.

The deadlock was broken three minutes into the second half when Al Gharafa's Ahmed Al Ganehi intercepted a poor pass, leaving Yacine Brahimi to tee up Joselu to slot home from close range.

Al Gharafa extended their lead in the 54th minute after Brahimi's precise cross into the box was headed by Sassi past outstretched ​​ keeper Ahmed Basil.

The home side were denied a third goal in the 66th minute when Al Ganehi's effort struck the bar from inside the box, while Al Shorta came close on a breakaway with Al Mawas teeing up Dominique Mendy, whose shot was blocked.

Al Gharafa next meet defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC in an away game on October 20, with Al Shorta to host Al Ittihad Club on the same day. (QNA)