The technical staff of the first football team of Al-Ahli Saudi Club received a great moral and technical boost before the anticipated continental challenge, as the team’s group training witnessed the return of the defensive duo Rayan Hamed and Yassin Al-Zubaidi, after their full recovery from the injuries that kept them away from the fields in the past period, making them an available option for the German coach Matthias Jiesle.
Details of the injured players' return and Al-Raed's preparations
Defender Rayan Hamed had been suffering from a hamstring strain, an injury he sustained during his team's match against Al-Najma in the Saudi Professional League, which necessitated an intensive rehabilitation program. Meanwhile, Yassin Al-Zubaidi underwent knee surgery and has successfully completed his treatment program, returning to group training and bolstering the Jeddah team's defensive options at a crucial point in the season.
The Baghdad trip and the date of the anticipated confrontation
As part of the logistical preparations, it was decided that Al-Ahli's delegation will depart Jeddah next Sunday, heading to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The team is preparing to face Iraqi side Al-Shorta on Monday evening, December 22nd, in a match eagerly anticipated by fans of Arab and Asian football. The delegation will return to the Kingdom immediately after the match.
The two teams' standings in the AFC Champions League
Al-Ahli enters this match in a relatively comfortable position, both technically and in terms of points. They currently sit fourth in the West Zone standings of the AFC Champions League with 10 points, accumulated from a series of positive results that reflect the team's ambition to seriously compete for the continental title in its new format. Al-Ahli aims to secure early qualification through this match and solidify their position among the top teams to ensure a more favorable draw in the knockout stages.
On the other hand, the Iraqi Police team is experiencing a difficult situation in the tournament, as it is in eleventh place with only one point, which makes the match a lifeline for it to try to save face or cling to a faint hope in the competition, which may make the meeting risky given the host’s desire to put on a respectable performance in front of its large audience.
The importance of the meeting and the regional context
Matches between Saudi and Iraqi clubs are always characterized by intense rivalry and excitement, especially when played in Iraqi stadiums, which typically witness large and passionate crowds. This match further underscores the deep sporting ties between the two countries and the growing competitiveness in West Asia. For Al-Ahli, securing all three points in Baghdad would not only be a step towards qualification but also a powerful message to their rivals that the "Castle of Cups" is determined to reclaim its continental glory and compete fiercely for the Asian Champions League title this season.
