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
Rhodes, Choi seize early lead as Ciganda thrills with ace in Riyadh
- Briton, South Korean both open with 8-under 64
- KSA youth program has 370 students taking part
RIYADH: Mimi Rhodes and Hye-Jin Choi set the early pace at the PIF Saudi Ladies International after both carded impressive eight-under-par 64 in the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club on Wednesday.
The pair lead in the curtain raiser for the 2026 PIF Global Series and the Ladies European Tour, with Japan’s Chizzy Iwai, Belgium’s Manon De Roey and defending champion Patty Tavatanakit in close pursuit.
Britian’s Rhodes delivered a flawless, bogey-free round highlighted by a strong finish, while South Korea’s Choi surged into contention with six birdies across her opening nine holes.
Choi, who boasts seven top-10 finishes in major championships, has carried her strong late-2025 LPGA form into the new season after finishing inside the top 30 in her last six tournaments.
Making her PIF Global Series debut, Choi said: “My shots didn’t feel that good, but my putting was crazy. I made two long putts and then after that I felt better and much more confident, so that’s why I feel I played well.
“I played really well last year, and have only started well today, so I don’t know what the future holds yet, but I’ll just give it my best shot.”
Rhodes, the 2025 LET Rookie of the Year, credited her consistency and strong putting performance for her fast start after the winter break.
“Clearly a lot went well for me today. Having had so much time off (over the winter break), I was a bit nervous at the start,” she said. “I left a few putts short, but the game felt solid.
I missed a few greens on the front nine, but I made up-and-downs. On the back nine, I just forgot about my score, and I was trying to make as many birdies as I could. I don’t think I missed a green on the back nine, so everything was feeling good. My putting was on point.
“I think the course is the best that’s it’s ever been. The greens have improved so much, they’re rolling so nice and I just got used to the speed of them early on and focused a lot on the practice rounds. I was looking at breaks and the speed of the greens, and it paid off today.”
One of the standout moments of the opening round came from Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who struck a hole-in-one at the 157-yard (144-meter), par-three eighth hole, on her way to posting a five-under-par 67.
“I had 144 meters, and I played a par three a couple of holes before that, hit a nine (iron), and it was pretty good. So, I just hit the same club, the wind was very similar, and it just went straight to the pin.
“We couldn’t see, so I didn’t know what happened, and then the camera guy told us that it went in, so it took us a few seconds to realize. I am very happy to have a hole in one and start the day like this,” Ciganda said.
Ciganda highlighted the growing popularity of golf in Saudi Arabia and the tournament’s role in expanding the women’s game. “Every time I come to Saudi I see more people here, more kids, more women, everyone enjoying themselves.
“I know golf is a pretty new sport here, but I think the more we play and the more we come, the more normal is going to be so I’m very happy to be playing here, and hopefully we can make an impact.”
Beyond the on-course action, the event continues to support youth engagement through the Sustained Futures initiative, which aims to inspire the next generation through golf clinics, career talks and course tours.
The 2026 program launched with 370 students set to take part over the four-day tournament.
“Leading this youth engagement initiative is profoundly meaningful to me, as it represents an opportunity to foster dialogue, empowerment, and positive development among young people,” said Iven Ilievska, spokesperson for Sustained Futures.
“Seeing so many bright young people looking to the future, capturing innovative ideas, and stepping forward as advocates for change makes me incredibly proud.
“Sustained Futures is using sport as a powerful platform to raise awareness about environment consciousness and help bridge the green skills gap. It’s an honor to lead this engagement and to connect with such inspiring young minds.”
