LONDON: Al-Ahli’s hopes of reaching the quarter-final of the 2018 AFC Champions League are still intact after Mohanned Aseri’s second-half header gave the Saudi Arabians a 2-1 loss at Al-Sadd in the first leg of their second round clash in Qatar.
Ater two first-half goals from Boualem Khoukhi had put Al-Sadd in control of the tie in Doha, Aseri hit back early in the second-half to give the Jeddah club an away goal and hope for the second leg.
While it was no more than the visitors, aggressive and probing going forward, deserved, they had a nightmare start and were behind after just three minutes.
Former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez had gone down under a challenge from Motaz Hawsawi inside a crowded area and had barely finished appealing when he received a pass at the age of the box from the advancing Khoukhi. The Spaniard threaded the ball through the defense for the Algeria-born forward to slot past Mohammed Al-Awais from close range.
Just four minutes later, Xavi was forcing the goalkeeper into another save and when Hasan Al-Haydos ad Al-Awais diving low to his left after ten minutes, the Saudi visitors were well and truly under the cosh.
After the initial shock however, Al-Ahli started to play their way back into the game. and a fine passing move midway through the half ended with Abdulafttah Asiri dragging his left-footed shot just wide on the right side.
Moments later, Mansour Al-Harbi, starting on the left side, danced through the home defense and then picking up the loose ball inside the area, shot past Saad Al Sheeb only for Ahmed Suhail to clear off the line.
The intervention may well be a turning point in the tie as just before the half-hour Al-Sadd broke to extend their lead. A perfect cross was delivered from the right by Baghdad Bounedjah and Khoukhi climed above Amiri Kurdi inside the area to send a towering header into the back of the net.
Al-Ahli’s efforts were finally rewarded early in the second half as Aseri, Mohannad Aseri, who had gone close with an earlier header, rose at the far post to head Kurdi’s cross past the despairing goalkeeper.
The Saudis continued to look more incisive. Substitute Saleh Al-Amri, busy on the left side of attack, saw three attempts well-saved by Al-Sheeb in the Al-Sadd goal.
With five minutes remaining however, Al Sadd almost snatched a third. A long ball over the top released Bounedjah and the tournament’s leading goalscorer shot fiercely toward the bottom corner. Al Awais produced a top-class save, somehow getting a hand to the ball. He was in action again in injury time to deny Akram Afif.
To concede a third would have been cruel for Al Ahli who deserved more from the game. The result may mark a first defeat for the Saudi team in this year’s tournament but a similar performance in the second leg and fans in Jeddah will be confident of turning the tie around.
Mohanned Aseri goal gives Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli hope against Xavi's Al-Sadd
Mohanned Aseri goal gives Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli hope against Xavi's Al-Sadd
- Two first-half goals from Boualem Khoukhi had put Al-Sadd in control of the tie in Doha against Al-Ahli
- Former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez plays for Qatar's Al-Sadd
Salt and Pepper season Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ route into the ILT20 playoffs
- The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator 1 on 1 January
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured a place in the top four of DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a commanding 32-run victory over Gulf Giants in the final league match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The crucial win confirmed the Knight Riders’ progression to the playoffs, where they will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on January 1. Desert Vipers and MI Emirates will contest Qualifier 1 on December 30, with a place in the final at stake.
A dominant 131-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the foundation for the Knight Riders’ success. Pepper struck 83 from 51 balls, while Salt remained unbeaten on 72 from 56 deliveries, as the pair propelled their side to a formidable total of 179 for 1.
Pepper led the charge during a brisk powerplay, racing to a half-century from just 31 balls as the Knight Riders reached 56 without loss inside the first six overs. Azmatullah Omarzai endured a costly fifth over, conceding 20 runs including three sixes, two of them launched by Pepper.
The opening pair brought up a 100-run stand in 67 balls — only the second century partnership of the season — before Aayan Khan finally broke through in the 15th over, with Pepper holing out to Mark Adair. Pepper’s innings featured six boundaries and four sixes.
Salt reached his own half-century from 44 balls in the 17th over and finished strongly, adding an unbeaten 48-run stand with Liam Livingstone (18 not out from 13 balls) as the Knight Riders plundered 18 runs from the final over.
Defending 180, Jason Holder struck early, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over and later dismissing Gulf Giants captain James Vince for 19. Ajay Kumar added to the pressure by accounting for Ben Kellaway, while Sunil Narine conceded just five runs across his first two overs.
By the end of the powerplay, the Giants had slumped to 32 for 3, but Moeen Ali mounted a spirited counter-attack. The England all-rounder smashed 79 from 49 balls, reaching his half-century in 31 deliveries and briefly reviving hopes with a 45-run stand alongside Kyle Mayers.
However, Narine turned the tide decisively in the 15th over, removing Mayers and then Sean Dickson for a duck. Andre Russell sealed the contest in the 18th over, striking twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Moeen and Aayan Khan, as the Knight Riders closed out the innings efficiently.
The Gulf Giants were eventually restricted to 147 for 9, handing the Knight Riders a comprehensive victory.
Player of the match Pepper said the innings was built on discipline and smart decision-making.
“It was about being patient and waiting for the right match-ups,” Pepper said. “When the spinners came into the attack, Salt allowed me to face most of the deliveries and I was happy to take responsibility. As a group, we just need to keep putting in the hard work.”
Gulf Giants captain James Vince acknowledged his side fell short on the day.
“It was a surface where they scored 20 to 30 runs above par,” Vince said.
“We weren’t able to strike early with the ball, and full credit to the way Pepper and Salt went about their innings. Moeen played a really good knock for us, but six losses in a row is tough to take.”
