Al-Ahli secured three crucial points in the title race after defeating their arch-rivals Al-Ittihad 3-1 in a Jeddah derby at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, as part of the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match witnessed a remarkable performance from Al-Ahli's stars, who dominated proceedings and confirmed their strong return to title contention.
Details of the Jeddah derby and the exciting goal-scoring scenario
The match began cautiously, with the first half starting evenly between the two sides. Al-Ahli had an early opportunity to take the lead, but Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic brilliantly saved Ali Majrashi's shot in the 14th minute. Al-Ittihad responded quickly with a powerful shot from Frenchman Moussa Diaby, which Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved with great alertness in the 21st minute.
From a quick and organized counter-attack, Al-Ahli managed to break through Al-Ittihad's defense, when Brazilian Galinho launched a ball down the left flank and played a perfect cross that found the positioned Englishman Ivan Tony, who put it directly into the net, announcing the first goal in the 23rd minute. Al-Ittihad almost equalized before the end of the first half, were it not for the post that denied the Algerian Houssem Aouar's shot in the 45th minute.
At the start of the second half, Al-Ittihad leveled the score with a penalty successfully converted by Brazilian Fabinho in the 51st minute, but their joy was short-lived. From a well-coordinated attack, Algerian star Riyad Mahrez restored Al-Ahli's lead with a powerful shot that nestled into the right corner of Rajkovic's net in the 59th minute. While Al-Ittihad attempted a comeback through Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri, who failed to capitalize on a cross in the 78th minute, Firas Al-Buraikan delivered the final blow, scoring the third goal in the 84th minute after exploiting a fatal error by the goalkeeper, slotting the ball into the empty net.
Historical dimensions of the Jeddah pole conflict
The Jeddah derby holds immense historical significance in Saudi and Arab sporting circles, as this encounter is considered one of the most prestigious derbies in the region. The rivalry between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad transcends a mere three-point battle; it's a struggle for city supremacy and a reflection of a traditional rivalry that has persisted for decades. This victory for Al-Ahli evokes memories of the glory days of the "Castle of Cups" and confirms that the team is undergoing a successful rebuilding phase based on a blend of international experience and local talent, further solidifying the Saudi league's position as one of the most competitive leagues in the region.
The implications of the result on the Roshan League standings and the global scene
With this resounding victory, Al-Ahli raised their points tally to 62, temporarily leapfrogging them to the top of the standings and reigniting the title race. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad's points remained at 42, dropping them to sixth place and raising questions about the team's performance this season. On the international stage, these high-profile matches, featuring global stars like Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toni, Fabinho, and N'Golo Kanté, contribute to highlighting the development of Saudi football worldwide. The Jeddah derby a focal point for fans around the globe, further bolstering the soft power of Saudi sports and its growing influence on the international football scene.
