Al-Ahli Saudi FC will be the visiting team against Al-Shorta of Iraq this evening, Monday, in a highly anticipated match to be held at the latter's stadium in Baghdad, as part of the sixth round of the AFC Champions League. This match holds particular importance for Al-Ahli, who are eager to overcome their recent setback and return to winning ways in continental competitions.
Al Ahly enters the match with its sights set on three points to compensate for its unexpected loss in the previous round against Sharjah of the UAE, a defeat that ended the team's golden streak of 22 consecutive matches without a loss in continental competitions. The team's coaching staff hopes to quickly regain its balance and secure an early place in the second stage of the tournament, focusing on finishing in one of the top four positions to guarantee a favorable draw in the knockout rounds.
Historically, Al-Ahli holds a commanding advantage against Iraqi clubs, having faced them seven times previously in the continental championship. Al-Ahli has won six matches and lost only once, reflecting the historical dominance of the Saudi Arabian side. Offensively, Al-Ahli players have netted 18 goals against Iraqi teams while conceding only five – statistics that bolster the team's confidence ahead of the Baghdad clash.
In the standings, Al-Ahly dropped to fourth place in their group with 10 points, accumulated from three wins, one draw, and one loss. Meanwhile, Al-Shorta of Iraq are in a very precarious position, languishing second to last with a single point after one draw and four defeats, leaving their chances of qualifying virtually nonexistent. However, they will be playing to salvage some pride in front of their home fans.
This match comes at a sensitive time for Al-Ahli, who will be without three key players: Senegalese Edouard Mendy, Ivorian Franck Kessié, and Algerian Riyad Mahrez, due to their international commitments with their national teams in the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite these significant absences, the team boasts a wealth of talent capable of making a difference, led by Brazilian defender Roger Ibañez, Turkish Merih Demiral, Frenchman Enzo Millot, and Brazilian Galinho, in addition to outstanding local players like Ali Majrashi and Firas Al-Buraikan.
For its part, Al-Shorta is aware of the difficulty of the task against one of the top contenders for the title, but it is counting on home advantage and the support of its fans to deliver a respectable performance. The Iraqi team boasts prominent names such as goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, experienced Syrian striker Mahmoud Al-Mawas, and Cameroonian Lionel Atiba, who will try to exploit any lapse in Al-Ahly's defense to secure a positive result and salvage some pride in the continental tournament.
