Defending champions Al-Ahli began their season with a dramatic victory, securing a 3-2 win over their rivals in the opening match of the western league phase. Goals from Riyad Mahrez and Mohammed Sulaiman, both scored in added time, turned the tide in favor of the home team after a challenging match.
The match saw Enzo Millot, a recent signing from France, score the first two goals for Al-Ahli, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. “Everybody had to give 100 percent in the second half. We had to do more and attack the box to score goals, and we did it,” Millot remarked after the match, highlighting the team’s determination.
With this victory, Al-Ahli claimed three crucial points in a league format where twelve teams will compete in eight matches, with the top eight advancing to the knockout rounds scheduled for March 2024.
Al-Ittihad Faces Unexpected Defeat
In an unexpected turn of events, Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad fell to a 2-1 defeat against Al-Wahda, a team from the United Arab Emirates. The decisive goal came from defender Lucas Pimenta, who found the net deep into added time.
Al-Ittihad initially took the lead in the 21st minute through a goal from Steven Berwijn. However, Caio Canedo equalized for Al-Wahda in the 62nd minute, setting up a nail-biting finish that saw Pimenta capitalize on a rebound after Pedrag Rajkovic blocked a header from Ala Zouhir.
Notable Performances from Other Teams
In another match, Sharjah of the UAE secured a thrilling 4-3 win against Al-Gharafa of Qatar, scoring two goals in added time despite facing a disadvantage of ten players. This victory marked a strong start for Sharjah, last season’s Asian Champions League Two winners.
Meanwhile, Al-Sadd managed to fight back to secure a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al-Shorta in Baghdad.
As the league progresses, the opening fixtures in the eastern phase will commence on Tuesday night, featuring Australia’s Melbourne City hosting Japan’s Sanfreccce Hiroshima. With the stakes high and excitement building, fans can expect an exhilarating season ahead.
