Al-Ahli Saudi FC has received official confirmation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) granting them a significant advantage in their continental campaign. They will play the second leg of their Round of 16 match in the AFC Champions League at home in Jeddah, in front of their fans. This decisive ruling came after the team's thrilling 4-3 victory over Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE in their final group stage match.
The context of the new championship and the importance of being in first place
This edition of the tournament comes in a new format under the name “AFC Champions League Elite,” representing the highest level of club competition in the continent. The new system is based on an eight-round league stage instead of the traditional group stage, making every match and every point crucial in determining the final standings. According to the updated tournament regulations, the clubs finishing higher in the overall standings gain the advantage of playing the second leg of the knockout rounds at home, a priceless advantage in the world of football.
The impact of a decisive victory and the importance of playing at home
Al-Ahli's victory over Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai was more than just three points; it was a strategic win that secured the team a high ranking and guaranteed them this advantage. Playing the decisive match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah provides Al-Ahli with a tremendous morale boost thanks to the massive fan support, in addition to avoiding the fatigue of travel during this crucial stage of the competition. Historically, knockout matches have proven that home advantage and fan support play a pivotal role in determining the qualifying team, which now puts Al-Ahli in a strong position before learning their next opponent, which will be determined based on the results of the remaining matches.
Local and regional repercussions
Domestically, this achievement boosts Al-Ahli's ambitions and those of its fans to compete strongly for the Asian title, especially given the significant investments the club has made and its return to continental competition after an absence. Regionally, this success underscores the strong presence of Saudi clubs in Asian competitions, with clubs from the Saudi Professional League vying for dominance in the continent's most prestigious tournament, thus raising the level of competition and solidifying the Saudi league's position as one of the strongest leagues in Asia.
