After a goalless opening half, the Syrian League champions stunned the home fans at a packed Jassem Bin Hamad Stadium by opening the scoring in the 69th minute when Mohamad Al Hamwi turned the ball into the net from close range.

Al Karama sealed the win four minutes later when Aatef Jenyat surprised Al Sadd goalkeeper Mohammed Ahmed with an attempt from well outside the box that dipped into the net from 35 yards.

The victory sends Al Karama three points clear of Al Sadd at the midway point of the Asian Champions League, putting the Syrian side on course for their third consecutive appearance in the knockout stage.

With the two teams tied for top spot in the group at the start of play, the match was an entertaining affair with both teams committed to attack.

It was the visitors who had the first real opportunity after 13 minutes when Jenyat charged into the Al Sadd box and rifled in a shot that was blocked by defender Majed Ibrahim.

A minute later, Al Sadd midfielder Magid Hassan fired a shot on target from close range but Al Karama goalkeeper Mosab Balhous made a diving save to keep out the effort.

Al Karama went close again shortly afterwards when midfielder Jehad Al Hussein dribbled past Mesaad Al Hamad, Felipe Jorge and Wesam Rizq, but fired his shot narrowly over the crossbar with Mohammed Ahmed looking well beaten.

Al Sadd were then presented with another chance in the 24th minute as midfielder Jorge crossed from the left flank to striker Emerson, whose header was smartly grabbed by Balhous.

The match continued to ebb and flow but the deadlock was only broken just after the midway point of the second half when Al Hamwi flicked the ball into the Al Sadd net with a neat shot from close range.

Four minutes later, Al Karama doubled their advantage when Jenyat received the ball in the middle of the park and spotted Mohammed Ahmed off his line.

He chipped an outrageous attempt from 35 yards that caught Ahmed completely by surprise as it dipped past the Al Sadd goalkeeper.

With time running out, Al Sadd coach Hassan Harmatullah brought on striker Khalfan Ibrahim for midfielder Wisam Rizik in the 75th minute and the move almost paid off immediately as the 20-year-old charged into the Al Karama box, only to see his close-range attempt miss the upright by inches.

The Qatari side had one final effort three minutes from time, with Ecuadorian striker Carlos Tenorio sending a header over the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the large home crowd who watched their team suffer their first defeat in this year's competition.