Al Sadd's poor form ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup continued on Friday when the reigning AFC Champions League champions went down 2-1 to Al Rayyan in their round nine Qatar Stars League clash.
Abdul Kader Keita, who scored the second goal in regulation time of the ACL final as Al Sadd went on to defeat Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on penalties, had an early chance to put his side in front but the Cote d'Ivoire striker missed a fifth minute penalty.
The continental club champions were punished for their profligacy in the 18th minute when former Al Sadd player Afonso Alves gave Al Rayyan the lead before the Brazilian, top scorer with nine goals in the 2010 AFC Cup, doubled the 2012 AFC Champions League qualifiers' advantage six minutes after the interval.
Magid Mohammed reduced the deficit in the 74th minute but Al Sadd where unable to find the equaliser as Jorge Fossati's side went down to their third successive defeat.
Al Sadd face Tunisian side Esperance on December 11, five days after Al Rayyan learn their group stage opponents in next year's ACL.
The draw for the 2012 AFC Champions League takes place at 1600 (local time) on Tuesday, December 6 at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.
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