In a dramatic and thrilling match filled with goals, Al-Ahli Saudi FC secured the top spot in their group with a 4-3 victory over their Emirati visitors, Shabab Al-Ahli, in a match played Monday evening at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. This encounter was part of the sixth and final round of the group stage in the AFC Champions League, marking the end of both teams' campaigns in this round.
Details of the exciting match and its seven goals
Al-Ahli Saudi dominated the first half, proving to be the better and more dangerous side. The first attempt came early, with Ziyad Al-Jahani's powerful shot striking the crossbar in the eighth minute. The first goal didn't take long to arrive, as striker Firas Al-Buraikan opened the scoring in the 11th minute after a superb finish from a well-placed cross. Al-Ahli continued to press, resulting in a second goal in the 35th minute, courtesy of an own goal by Serbian defender Bogdan Planić. Just before halftime, Frenchman Enzo Millot added a third for Al-Ahli in the third minute of first-half stoppage time (45+3) with a powerful shot. At the start of the second half, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat extended Al-Ahli's lead to four goals from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. However, Shabab Al-Ahli refused to give up, mounting a comeback in the remaining minutes and reducing the deficit with three consecutive goals. Brazilian Bruno Cascardo scored twice (in the 66th and 78th minutes) and Mohammed Jumaa added another in the fifth minute of stoppage time (90+5), but the match ended in a hard-fought victory for Al-Ahli.
General context and importance of the Asian Championship
The AFC Champions League, in its new format, is the most prestigious and competitive club tournament in Asia, where elite clubs from various leagues compete for the coveted continental title. Al-Ahli Saudi and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai are two of the strongest clubs in their respective countries, boasting a rich history of domestic achievements and regular continental participation. Matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs are always highly competitive, given the strength of their leagues and the similar skill levels of both teams, adding extra excitement to these encounters.
The impact of the result and the future of both teams in the tournament
With this victory, Al-Ahli Saudi raised their points tally to 17, securing second place in the group and guaranteeing a well-deserved qualification for the knockout stages. On the other hand, despite the loss, Shabab Al-Ahli's points remained at 11, but they also secured their passage, benefiting from the result of the other match in the group, which saw their direct rival, Sharjah of the UAE, lose. This result has a dual impact; it gives Al-Ahli a significant morale boost before the advanced stages, but at the same time, it reveals some defensive vulnerabilities that may need addressing. As for Shabab Al-Ahli, qualification is the most important achievement, but losing in this manner could serve as a wake-up call for the coach and technical staff before the upcoming crucial matches.
