Al Ahli Storms into the King’s Cup Quarters with a 3-0 Win over Al Batin
27 October 2025
Match Recap
Al Ahli Jeddah advanced to the King’s Cup quarterfinals on Monday night, after a 3-0 win over Al Batin in the Round of 16. The first goal came in the 22nd minute as an own goal by Turki Gulfan opened the scoring for the Green and White. In the 50th minute, Firas Al-Breikan added a second with a precise header, and Ivan Toni completed the scoring in the 65th minute as Ahli maintained the pressure.
Ahli dominated the early tempo, aiming to settle the tie early and avoid tense moments. In the fourth minute, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat delivered a cross that no teammate could convert, and he later earned a free kick that rattled the crossbar, a near-miss for the hosts.
The visitors defended with resolve as Ahli kept control of the ball, and the hosts built more chances under head coach Mathias Jaissle. The decisive moment arrived in the 22nd minute when a cross from Matteo Dams deflected off Turki Gulfan and into his own net.
After halftime, the pressure persisted. In the 28th minute, Gonzalves came close again, but the ball struck the post and stayed out. Gonzalves would also test the frame later, while goalkeeper Salih Al-Shammari collected the ball safely on the rebound.
Firas Al-Breikan rose highest to meet a cross and headed home in the 50th minute, doubling the advantage, with the third arriving in the 65th when Ivan Toni slotted home a Mohammed Abdul Rahman cross. Jaissle began rotating his squad, bringing on Ali Majrashi, Eid Al-Mould, Mohammed Suleiman and Fahd Al-Rashidi as Demiral, Gonzalves, Al-Breikan and Atangana left the field.
Ahli continued to control the pace, while Al Batin defended bravely and looked for counter-attacks, but could not find a route back into the tie.
Key Moments
In the closing stages, Abu Al-Shamat threatened again but could not convert a one-on-one, and substitute players added energy as the match wore on. The 3-0 victory sends Al Ahli through to the King’s Cup quarterfinals.
Punchlines: 1) If football were a sniper, the target would be the back of the net every time. 2) Al Ahli’s game plan was simple: press, pass, and pose for the victory selfie.
