RIYADH: The 14th match-week of the Saudi Pro League concluded in Najran, as Al-Okhdood hosted Al-Ahli at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.
Al-Ahli edged the relegation-battling hosts 1-0, but victory did not come easily.
With Firas Al-Buraikan continuing to deputise in his makeshift role on the right wing in the absence of Riyad Mahrez, Al-Ahli lacked the creativity that powered them to continental glory last season.
The usual set-piece dominance enjoyed by Al-Ahli, thanks to Merih Demiral and Roger Ibañez, failed to translate into early success.
Former Al-Ittihad defender Naif Assery stood firm at the back, winning two valuable duels in quick succession to deny Wenderson Galeno and Ivan Toney.
It wasn’t until the 34th minute that Al-Ahli mustered a clear chance, when Ibañez sent Toney through on goal with a long ball, only for the Englishman to be flagged offside.
Moments before half time, 20-year-old Matheus Gonçalves appeared to have scored his first league goal in Al-Ahli colors, but the effort was ruled out after Al-Buraikan’s foul on Gökhan Gül in the build-up.
On the other side of half time, Al-Ahli would score, this time through Enzo Millot. The French midfielder coolly made his way past two defenders before finishing in style. Unfortunately, a foul in the build-up would prevent the goal from being counted, as Millot pushed Juan Pedroza on his way to goal.
Their persistence would finally pay off in the 57th minute. Millot’s corner was met by Ibañez, whose header was cleared off the goal line by Mohammed Abo Abd. Ziyad Al-Johani reacted quickest to save the ball on the byline and square it to Ivan Toney, who finished from close range for the only goal of the game.
The win sees Al-Ahli reclaim fourth place with 28 points, three behind Al-Taawoun and Al-Nassr, and seven points adrift of league leaders Al-Hilal.
Elsewhere, Al-Fateh became one of three SPL sides to win every match since the league’s return from the Arab Cup break. Their 1-0 victory against NEOM, sealed by a stunning long-range strike from Naif Masoud, moves them nine points clear of the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh climbed out of the relegation zone after salvaging a point against Al-Fayha, with Yoann Barbet scoring a dramatic equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Action returns on Monday, headlined by the Capital Derby between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, as the SPL resumes midweek.