JEDDAH: Al-Ahli started their defense of the AFC Champions League Elite title on Monday with a dramatic 4-2 win over Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi while Jeddah rivals Al-Ittihad slumped to a 2-1 loss at Al-Wahda of the UAE.
The holders found themselves 2-0 down at the break thanks to two goals from Khusayin Norchaev.
Merih Demiral gave the ball away just after the half-hour and the striker made no mistake. Then, four minutes before the break, the 23-year-old ran on to a through ball and slotted past Edouard Mendy from the right side of the area.
Al-Ahli threw everything at the Central Asian visitors in the second half and were given a lifeline after 65 minutes. Abduvohid Nematov came out of his area to clear a pass over the top, missed and there was Enzo Millot to shoot into the empty net.
Four minutes later and the French midfielder was on hand to score from much closer range, slotting home a loose ball after the away team had failed to clear a number of dangerous attacks.
Then, four minutes into added time, Riyad Mahrez cut in from the right to fire a low shot into the opposite corner, and there was still time for Mohammed Sulaiman to add a fourth and seal a dramatic victory.
It was the opposite feeling for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad. The Tigers went ahead in Abu Dhabi when Steven Bergwijn smashed home a fierce drive from well outside the area in the 21st minute.
The goal came against the run of play, with Al-Ittihad struggling to find their rhythm. It did not improve as the Jeddah giants were reduced to 10 men eight minutes before the break as Muhannad Al-Shanqiti saw red for a foul on Facundo Kruspzky.
The hosts finally got the goal they deserved just after the hour. Syrian Omar Khribin provided a pass for Caio Canedo to slot home from close range.
Al-Ittihad looked like going back home with a point but that was snatched away in the 98th minute. Predrag Rajkovic saved a close-range header from Alaeddine Zouhir and there was Lucas Pimenta to fire home the rebound.
