The Bite that Revived a Champion: Al Ahli Snap Winless Streak in Roshen

First Half

Al Ahli Jeddah revived their winning ways in the Saudi Pro League with a 1-0 victory away at Al Najma. The decisive moment came in the 34th minute when Feras Al-Breikan finished from close range after a loose ball in the box deflected off defenders and left the Brazilian 'keeper stranded.

Coach Matthias Jaissle made a surprise call, keeping English forward Ivan Toni on the bench and fielding Breikan alongside Riyad Mahrez in a front two. The visitors also lined up a back four featuring Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Ryan Hamid, and Mohammed Suleiman Bakr, with Edouard Mendy in goal.

Midfield duties were entrusted to Frank Kise, Valentin Atangana, and Enzo Milot, while a fluid attacking trio saw Mahrez supported by Breikan and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat. Najma pressed for an early response, but a layoff in the 11th minute and a VAR review of a potential late penalty kept the tally at 1-0 after 45 minutes.

Najma created sporadic chances, including a firm strike from within the box that narrowly missed the target, yet the scoreline remained unfavorable for the home side as the whistle blew with Al Ahli ahead.

Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy. Defence: Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Ryan Hamid, Mohammed Suleiman Bakr. Midfield: Frank Kise, Valentin Atangana, Enzo Milot. Attacking trio: Riyad Mahrez, Feras Al-Breikan, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat.

Second Half

The second half followed a similar pattern as Al Ahli kept their shape and pushed to protect the lead. Milot fired a sharp effort in the 47th minute that was saved, and moments later a strike from Milot was ruled offside after a fine cross broke the defensive line.

Riyad Mahrez tested the Najma goalkeeper in the 58th minute, his shot getting a fingertip touch onto the post and away. Jaissle responded by refreshing the attack, introducing Ivan Toni and Mateus Goncalves for Breikan and Abu Al-Shamat to intensify pressure.

Milot continued to threaten, while Goncalves and Toni added pace and width. In the 84th minute, Ziad Al-Juhani was brought on as part of more changes as Al Ahli aimed to seal the result, with the defense holding firm as Najma’s hopes dwindled.

The final whistle confirmed Al Ahli’s 1-0 win, their 12-point tally lifting them to fourth, three points behind leaders with a game in hand for the top side. Najma, meanwhile, remained winless at the bottom of the table.

Punchline time: If patience is a virtue, Jaissle just turned Al Ahli's bench into a virtue factory. Punchline two: The only thing more efficient than their defense was their courteous refusal to let the VAR hear their arguments during the review—call it tactical silence, or just good coffee timing.