Blaze of Controversy and a Late Equalizer: Saudi Pro League Clash Ends in 1-1 Draw

The clash and the controversy

Spanish coach Emmanuel Alguacil, head coach of Al Shabab, launched a fiery attack on the referee of their Saudi Pro League match against Al Ahli, claiming he awarded the Jeddah side a penalty at the start of the game.

Al Ahli and Al Shabab drew 1-1 at the Al-Inma Stadium on Friday, in round five of the Saudi Pro League.

Al Ahli went ahead early, around the 15th minute, through English forward Ivan Toni, before Al Shabab equalized in the 87th minute with an own goal by Belgian fullback Mattéo Dams, despite playing with ten men since the 77th minute after defender Mohammed Al-Shweirik was sent off.

Alguacil: The referee gifted Al Ahli a penalty

After the match, Alguacil told the press: "We didn't start well, but the referee gifted Al Ahli a penalty."

Some refereeing experts criticized the decision to award the penalty, saying the contact did not warrant a foul.

The Spanish coach added: "The opponent did not threaten us before that spot-kick, and I thank the players for their big effort, even with the numerical disadvantage they stayed with the plan."

"If the goal hadn't been scored, we would have been ahead; despite the numbers, we did not want a point—we wanted all three."

Alguacil commented on the team's poor form this season, noting they sit 12th with five points from one win, two draws and two losses.

"Five points is very little after five rounds, but we must not forget where we came from. My team is new, young, with a bright future; we have more work to do, and when we get players back we will be much better."

He disclosed his plan to surprise Al Ahli: "I am the coach and I must make decisions; I will bet on the system and the team's performance."

"I study the opponent; today the plan was right: we allowed them possession and knew that if we organised well at the back we could trouble them."

Jaissle: There was more danger to be made

German Matthias Jaissle, Al Ahli’s coach, said he respects Alguacil and could not comment on his remarks, but when the opponent tightens their defense, you look for more chances and one-on-ones, and you fix these problems.

"It was a tough match as expected, with many duels; we did not reach the required level."

"We should have created more danger; that's football—if you don't score you will concede."

Jaissle also addressed criticisms about starting French midfielder Enzo Milot as playmaker instead of a true defensive midfielder: "We aim to pick the best 11; everything is about the result; if the result were different, the talking points would be different."

Controversial changes

The German Jaissle faced heavy criticism after the draw, with critics pointing to second-half substitutions, including bringing on Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, who had impressed with the national team, replacing Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez in the second half, and also introducing Firas Al-Breikan, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Eid Al-Mulud in the 83rd minute, replacing Tony, Majrshi, and Ziad Al-Jehni.

Four minutes later, Al Shabab equalized with an own goal by Mattéo Dams, despite playing with ten since Al-Shweirik’s red card.

Shweirik was sent off in the 77th minute after VAR review for a reckless foul on Enzo Milot. Jaissle attempted to alter the game late by bringing Fahd Al-Rashidi on for Milot, hoping for a late winner, but it didn’t happen.

Rashidi nearly conceded late again in the 95th minute when Frank Kisse struck from inside the box, but the shot deflected off Rashidi’s foot.

Caption: Emmanuel Alguacil and Matthias Jaissle clash after a tense Saudi Pro League draw in Jeddah.