The Comeback Code: How Ali Mergashi Unveiled Al-Ahli's 4-1 Revival vs Al-Khaleej
20 January 2026
Match turnaround and key moments
Ali Mergashi's Al-Ahli overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Al-Khaleej 4-1 at the Al-Enmaa Stadium in Round 17 of the Saudi Pro League.
The comeback featured a dominant second half as the defense tightened, the midfield dictated tempo, and Iván Toney completed a hat-trick to seal the win.
Ali Mergashi's take and the road ahead
Mergashi said the first half did not reflect the team's true level and that the players corrected the errors in the second period to secure three points.
He praised the collective effort and highlighted Toney's movement and finishing as key factors in the revival. He looked ahead to a busy schedule, with three tough matches coming up against Neom, Al-Ettifaq, and Al-Hilal.
He noted that his own performances remain a work in progress and that the squad must keep delivering their best in the upcoming fixtures.
Punchline 1: If comebacks paid the rent, this one would own the block.
Punchline 2: The halftime talk was so effective, the scoreboard filed for emotional support afterwards.
