Al-Ahli's first football team achieved a valuable and well-deserved victory over their guest Al-Fayha by two goals to nil, in the match held at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, as part of the twelfth round of the Saudi Professional League. Despite securing the three points, Al-Ahli's joy was short-lived due to a painful blow suffered by the team in the final minutes.
Match details and winning scenario
Al-Ahli entered the match determined to settle matters early, and this was achieved when English star Ivan Tony opened the scoring very early in the sixth minute, giving the team a significant advantage in controlling the flow of the game. Al-Ahli continued their dominance and attempts to extend their lead until Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez added a second goal in the 64th minute, securing the victory and bringing his team closer to the win.
The turning point and the dilemma of El Clásico
As the fans were preparing to celebrate the victory, Roger Ibanez, who scored the second goal, made a mistake that cost him a red card in the 85th minute. This expulsion not only means the player is out of the match, but also has significant negative repercussions for the team, as his absence from the anticipated and crucial match against traditional rivals Al-Nassr in the next round has been officially confirmed.
The absence of Ibanez presents a tactical headache for German coach Matthias Jäissle, given the player's importance to the defensive system, especially since facing Al-Nassr requires maximum defensive solidity to counter a formidable attacking arsenal that includes world-class players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Talisca. Matches between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr (the "Clásico") are among the most important fixtures in Saudi football, attracting a massive following and generating intense competition, making the loss of a key defensive pillar a worrying prospect for the Al-Ahli camp.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this important victory, Al-Ahli raised their points tally to 22, strengthening their hold on third place and continuing their pursuit of the league leaders in this fiercely competitive season. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha's points remained at 12, leaving them in eleventh place, a precarious position that will require them to seek redemption in the upcoming rounds to improve their standing and move into a more comfortable mid-table position.
This match confirms Al Ahly's ability to be decisive offensively with Ivan Toni, but at the same time it raises questions about defensive discipline and the available alternatives to compensate for the significant absences in the upcoming major matches.
