In an exciting and breathtaking match, Al-Ahli managed to achieve a valuable and hard-fought victory over their host, Al-Riyadh Club, with a score of 1-0, in the match that brought them together on Thursday evening at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium in the capital, Riyadh, as part of the competitions of the twenty-fourth round of the Saudi Professional League.
The only goal of the match came in dramatic fashion in the 75th minute when Al-Riyadh's outstanding goalkeeper, Canadian Milan Borjan, attempted to clear a corner kick but misjudged the flight of the ball, deflecting it into his own net and handing Al-Ahli all three points. With this victory, Al-Ahli raised their points tally to 59, temporarily topping the league table pending the results of the remaining matches in this round. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh remain stuck on 16 points in 15th place, deepening their struggle to avoid relegation.
The general context and competitive landscape of the Roshan League
This encounter comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has captured global attention after attracting a constellation of international football stars. Al-Ahli, returning this season from the First Division, is one of the four major clubs striving to prove themselves and compete fiercely for the title, benefiting from high-profile signings such as Algerian Riyad Mahrez, Brazilian Roberto Firmino, and Ivorian Franck Kessié. This intense battle for the top spot makes every point doubly valuable, especially against teams fighting to avoid relegation like Al-Riyadh, adding a highly tactical and competitive edge to the matches.
Match details: Burian shines before the fatal mistake
The match was dominated by Al-Ahli from the outset, with the visiting team pressing hard in search of an early goal. Brazilian Giuliano almost opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but goalkeeper Milan Borjan made a brilliant save. Borjan continued his impressive performance, denying Giuliano another clear-cut chance from a well-executed free kick in the 22nd minute. Al-Riyadh, on the other hand, relied on quick counter-attacks, which posed some threat, most notably a run by Frenchman Teddy Oko in the 26th minute that went just wide of the post. Al-Ahli's pressure continued into the second half, with Borjan making another fine save from a powerful shot by Ivorian Franck Kessie in the 64th minute. Then, in the 75th minute, an unexpected error sealed the victory for Al-Ahli.
The importance of winning and its impact on the title race and relegation
This victory holds immense importance for Al-Ahli, both domestically and in terms of morale. Domestically, it temporarily places them at the top of the standings, putting significant psychological pressure on their direct rivals, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. It also strengthens their chances of securing a spot in next season's AFC Champions League, a strategic objective for the club's management and fans. As for Al-Riyadh, this loss exacerbates their precarious position at the bottom of the table, making their upcoming matches crucial in their fierce battle to avoid relegation.
