Al-Ahly Suffers Defeat in Saudi Arabia’s Professional League

Al-Ahly Saudi Arabia’s hopes of recovering from their recent loss in the King’s Cup were dashed as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Al-Qadisiyah Club in the fifth round of the professional league.

The match, played on Friday, saw Al-Qadisiyah take the lead through a penalty kick from Gabonese star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 40th minute. Despite Al-Ahly’s efforts to level the score, they were unable to find the back of the net.

Al-Ahly’s squad was missing Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy due to injury, but the team’s pillars, including Ivorian Franck Kesse and English newcomer Ivan Toney, were all available for the match.

The following is Al-Ahli’s lineup:

• Abdul Rahman Al-Sanbi (goalkeeper)
• Franck Kesse (defender)
• Ivan Toney (forward)

Al-Qadisiyah, led by Spanish international Nacho, also had a strong lineup, with Aubameyang being one of the key players.

Match Highlights

Here are the highlights of the match:

• Minute 1: Kick-off
• Minute 3: Al-Ahly threaten Al-Qadisiya’s goal early with a cross pass from Kesiyeh.
• Minute 6: Al-Qadisiyah react strongly with an attack led by Aubameyang.
• Minute 15: Al-Ahly’s defense interferes with an Al-Qadisiya attack, preventing a goal.
• Minute 18: A rebound from the Al-Qadisiyah defense ends up with a powerful shot from Al-Ahly player Ziyad, but it’s wide of the goal frame.
• Minute 25: Al-Qadisiyah get possession of the ball, but most of the dangerous attacks are by Al-Ahly players.
• Minute 29: Ivan Toni makes a magical pass to Firas Al-Brykan, who squanders a chance to go ahead.
• Minute 39: Penalty kick for Al-Qadisiyah as a high cross lands inside the area.
• Minute 40: Aubameyang gives Al-Qadissia the lead from the penalty spot (1-0).
• Minute 44: A counter-attack by Al-Qadisiyah and a complete isolation of 3 attackers in Sanbi’s goal, but striker Almina wastes the chance.
• Minute 45 + 7: End of the first half, Al-Qadisiyah lead with an unanswered goal.
• Minute 46: Start of the second half.
• Minute 49: A powerful shot by Aubameyang is blocked by the Spanish goalkeeper.
• Minute 51: A great cross pass from Firminho ends up with a header, followed by a powerful shot from Ivan Toni, which is blocked by the Al-Qadisiyah goalkeeper.
• Minute 56: A very dangerous cross for Al-Qadisiya, but Al-Mina faces the goalkeeper Abdul Rahman Al-Sanbi, who saves the ball.
• Minute 63: A great counter-attack from Al-Qadisiyah, but an excellent intervention by defender Al-Juhani ends the attack.
• Minute 65: Al-Ahly players claim a penalty kick after striker Ivan Toni’s intervention, but the referee declares no penalty kick.
• Minute 75: Al-Qadisiyah still maintain the lead and rely on counter-attacks from time to time.
• Minute 82: Riyad Mahrez wastes Al-Ahly’s best chance to level the score with a powerful shot that goes wide of the post.
• Minute 90: The referee decides to add 10 minutes of stoppage time.
• Minute 90 + 1: An attack by Al-Qadisia, Aubameyang enters the penalty area and falls, but the referee declares no penalty kick.
• Minute 90 + 5: A very dangerous chance and a serious defensive error by the Al-Ahli Ibanez player goes towards the goal, but the Spanish goalkeeper blocks the shot.
• Minute 90 + 13: The referee ends the match with an important win for Al-Qadisiyah against Al-Ahly (1-0).

Al-Qadisiyah moved up to fourth place with 10 points, while Al-Ahly dropped to seventh place with 7 points.