Ahli Saudi FC Defeats Al Rayyan at Home. Doha: In a fiercely contested encounter at the AFC Champions League Elite, Al Rayyan endured their third consecutive loss, falling 2-1 to a determined Al Ahli Saudi FC at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Despite a spirited fight, the Qatari side remains at the bottom of the West Zone standings, while Al Ahli Saudi FC climbed to the top, drawing level with Al Hilal on nine points after securing their third consecutive victory.
Early Setbacks for Al Rayyan
Al Rayyan started the match with an opportunity to take the lead early on. Trezeguet showed his strength, powering his way into the left side of the penalty area before cutting the ball across to Hazem Shehata. Shehata effort was on target, but Al Ahli’s defender Ibanez managed to deflect the shot for a corner, denying Al Rayyan an early advantage.
The visitors responded quickly and almost broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Feras Al Brikan surged into the box and set up Ivan Toney with a well-placed pass, but Al Rayyan goalkeeper Paulo Victor made a crucial save to keep the scoreline intact.
Al Ahli Saudi FC high pressing and relentless attacks soon paid off when Gabri Veiga curled a stunning goal directly from a corner in the 16th minute, giving the visitors the lead.
Al Ahli Saudi’ Dominance in the First Half
Al Ahli Saudi FC continued to apply pressure on Al Rayyan, with both Al Brikan and Ibanez testing Paulo Victor with shots, but the Brazilian goalkeeper was up to the challenge. However, in the 38th minute, Riyad Mahrez delivered a perfect cross into the box, and Feras Al Brikan capitalized with a glancing header, doubling Al Ahli’s advantage and putting Al Rayyan in a difficult position heading into the break.
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By halftime, Al Ahli Saudi FC had established a commanding 2-0 lead, leaving Al Rayyan struggling to find a way back into the game. Al Rayyan coach Nicolas Cordova would have been looking for a significant improvement from his team in the second half.
Stronger Second Half but Still Falling Short
Al Rayyan came out with renewed vigor after the break, and it was clear they were determined to push for a comeback. In the 47th minute, Roger Guedes burst through the center of the pitch and unleashed a powerful shot, but his effort went just wide of the target.
Despite this bright start, Al Rayyan continued to face challenges from Al Ahli Saudi FC, who nearly extended their lead in the 63rd minute when Franck Kessie lobbed a perfect ball to Ivan Toney. Toney’s two close-range efforts were brilliantly saved by Paulo Victor, keeping Al Rayyan hopes alive.
In the 65th minute, Al Rayyan managed to pull one back through an own goal. A dangerous cross from Murad Naji Hussein forced Fahad Al Hamad to accidentally divert the ball into his own net, reducing Al Ahli’s lead to 2-1. This sparked renewed energy in Al Rayyan, who pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
Al Rayyan Late Push Falls Short
In the closing stages of the match, Al Rayyan had a golden opportunity to level the score. In the 84th minute, Roger Guedes connected with a powerful header, but Al Ahli’s goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi made a remarkable save to preserve his team lead. Despite Al Rayyan late surge, Al Ahli Saudi FC held firm and secured the 2-1 victory.
This defeat marks Al Rayyan’third consecutive loss in the AFC Champions League Elite, leaving them at the bottom of the group standings. In contrast, Al Ahli Saudi FC remains in strong contention, sitting at the top alongside Al Hilal.
What Next for Al Rayyan and Al Ahli Saudi FC
With this result, Al Rayyan faces an uphill battle as they prepare for their next match against Uzbekistan Pakhtakor FC on November 5. Coach Nicolas Cordova will be keen to address the defensive issues and missed opportunities that have plagued his team in recent matches. Al Rayyan will need to show resilience and determination if they hope to turn their campaign around.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli Saudi FC will look to continue their winning streak as they prepare to face Iraq Al Shorta. With their confidence high after three consecutive victories, Al Ahli will be aiming to maintain their position at the top of the West Zone standings.
Conclusion
The 2-1 defeat to Al Ahli Saudi FC highlights the challenges facing Al Rayyan in this season’s AFC Champions League Elite. Despite a strong effort, particularly in the second half, Al Rayyan was unable to overcome Al Ahli’s early dominance and secure a positive result.
With three losses in a row, Al Rayyan finds themselves at the bottom of the standings and in desperate need of a turnaround in their upcoming matches. For Al Ahli Saudi FC, their continued success in the tournament has solidified their place as one of the strongest teams in the group.
With key players like Gabri Veiga, Riyad Mahrez, and Feras Al Brikan performing at a high level, Al Ahli remains a formidable force as they look to progress further in the competition.
As the AFC Champions League continues, both teams will need to bring their best performances to the pitch if they hope to achieve their respective goals in this highly competitive tournament.