Al-Ahli tops the Saudi League with a hard-fought victory over Damac thanks to a goal from Kessie
Al-Ahli's first football team secured a hard-fought and valuable victory against their hosts, Damac FC, in a thrilling encounter at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha. This match, part of the postponed tenth round of the Saudi Professional League, was a nail-biter, with the tension high until the final whistle.
Details of the decisive goal and the refereeing drama
Al-Ahli owes its victory to Ivorian star Franck Kessié, who scored the only goal of the match in the 37th minute of the first half. The match was highly competitive, with Damac repeatedly attempting to equalize, taking advantage of playing at home in Al-Mahalah.
The excitement reached its peak in stoppage time, as the two teams almost came away with a positive draw after Damac players shook Al-Ahli’s net, but the referee canceled the goal due to offside, so Al-Ahli fans breathed a sigh of relief and the team secured all three points in a dramatic scenario that reflects the strength of the competition in the league this season.
Changes in the standings and the battle for the top spot
With this strategic victory, Al-Ahli raised its points tally to 56, temporarily jumping to the top of the Saudi Professional League standings, pending the results of the other competitors. This rise to the top spot is a tremendous morale boost for the Al-Ahli squad as they continue their pursuit of the title, with the postponed matches presenting a golden opportunity to strengthen their position, close the gap, or even claim sole possession of first place.
Damac's situation and the challenges of relegation
On the other hand, this loss further complicated Damac's position in the standings, leaving them stuck on 15 points and in 16th place, dangerously close to relegation. This result puts the coaching staff and players at Damac under immense pressure to get back on track in the upcoming matches and escape the threat of relegation and the bottom of the table.
The importance of winning in Abha
This victory is doubly important for Al-Ahli, given the difficulty of playing in Abha due to the high altitude, which typically poses a physical challenge for visiting teams. Returning with all three points from Al-Mahala Stadium is a positive indicator of the team's physical and mental readiness to compete for domestic titles, and it boosts the fans' confidence in the team's ability to overcome tough obstacles away from home.
