Jeddah: Ah Ahli were all smiles after beating Al Ittihad 4-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City as both sides warmed up for next week’s AFC Champions League action with a huge Saudi Professional League clash on Saturday.
Al Ahli got off to a dream start when Greece international Giannis Fetfatzidis opened the scoring in the first minute, which was followed up by a second from Omar Al Soma in the 20th minute.
The hosts then looked completely in control of the match when Syrian striker Al Soma scored again in the 55th minute, but Lucian Sanmartaen did pull one back for Al Ittihad ten minutes later.
However, any hopes of a comeback were quashed when Housain Al Mogahwi found the back of the net in the 82nd minute to wrap up the result for Christian Gross’ charges, although the visitors did manage another consolation effort through a Gelmin Rivas penalty deep into stoppage time.
The result ensured Al Ahli got back to winning ways following a 1-0 defeat to United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain in their last outing, ahead of next Tuesday’s rematch between the two sides.
With just one win from their opening three matches in the AFC Champions League, they are currently bottom of Group D but both Al Ain and Nasar Qarshi also have collected just three points, with Qatari outfit El Jaish the runaway leaders on nine points currently.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad will be hoping to find some form fast after three straight defeats in all competition as they look to move off the foot of Group A on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, it will not be easy away to an Al Nasr side who beat them 2-1 in their previous meeting and are currently top of Group A.
Over at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Al Hilal stretched their unbeaten run in all competition to five games following a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Al Khaleej.
It took them just three minutes to break the deadlock courtesy of a Yousef Al Salem strike, before Salem Al Dawsari put them further ahead in the 16th minute.
Two minutes before the hour mark, Mohammad Al Shalhoub got in on the act to make it 3-0 and effectively put the result beyond doubt.
Al Hilal are currently second in Group C in the Champions League with five points from three outings, one behind leaders Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran.
They entertain Emirati side Al Jazira at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Wednesday, with both teams playing out a 1-1 draw in their earlier encounter last month.
Finally, Al Nassr, who are currently top of Group B level on points with Iran's Zobahan, warmed up for Tuesday's visit to Lekhwiya in Doha with a 3-2 victory over Al Taawoun.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com