Baghdad Bounedjah was among the scorers as Al-Sadd recorded a 5-1 win at Al-Kharaitiyat in the Qatar Stars League season opener on Thursday.
Xavi Hernandez's men finished the previous campaign in third place, six points behind champions Al-Duhail, this is despite going unbeaten in their final run of games at the restart, winning four and drawing once.
The Doha-based outfit started strongly at the Education City Stadium with former Arsenal playmaker and Spain international Santi Cazorla giving them the lead in the 27th minute.
Bounedjah’s goal was the next to come in the 55th minute of play, the Africa Cup of Nations winner nicely chipping the ball over Al-Kharaitiyat goalie Shehab Ellethy.