Turnaround Secrets: Yaissle and Mendy Spark Al Ahli’s King Cup Comeback, Mitchell’s Fury Unleashed
29 November 2025
Second-half turnaround and penalties
The German coach Matthias Jaissle of Al Ahli Jeddah revealed the secret behind the team’s dramatic shift in performance during the second half of the King Cup clash with Al Qadisiyah. The match moved to a dramatic penalty shootout, where Al Ahli won 5-4 following a 3-3 scoreline after extra time, earning a place in the semi-finals.
The turnaround, Jaissle said, came down to focus, fitness, and the team’s determined mindset. The first half had seen a slower start, but the players found their groove after the break and pressed for the equalizer while fighting fatigue and missed chances. Some goals in the added period were disallowed for offside, underscoring how fine the margins were.
Yaissle spoke at the postmatch press conference about the tough nature of the game: “It was very tough, the players were exhausted, and we did not perform to the required level in the first half.” He credited the team’s resilience, the tactical adjustments, and the support from the crowd for lifting the team in the second half and in extra time.
He added that the approach taken in the second period yielded positive results, emphasizing that it was a collective effort. “We play as a group,” he said, “we lose and win together. Today we achieved what we needed.” He also noted that starting the match with an advantage would be ideal, but football is decided by small details, and they took the win when it counted.
The goalkeeper Édouard Mendy echoed this sentiment in television interviews, saying the turning point was the team spirit. He noted that playing at home helped, and the crowd’s energy played a crucial role, “transforming the atmosphere” once the team leveled the score and then pressed for victory. Mendy reminded fans of previous comebacks against Al Hilal and in the AFC Champions League, highlighting how belief can become a driving force when supporters are present.
He pointed to recent matches where Al Ahli recovered from deficits, including a 0-3 situation earlier in the season that the team managed to salvage into a 3-3 draw, and the broader pattern of strong second-halves that have defined their campaign. “Between the halves, we spoke as one, moved forward, and believed we could qualify,” he said, stressing the importance of teamwork and self-belief. “We have the quality to score three or four goals, whether at home or away.”
Mendy also thanked the fans, saying their support makes the home atmosphere feel like a fortress and that the team must repay them with more wins. “Your backing makes the difference,” he told the crowd, adding that success is the best thanks you can give to supporters.
In parallel, Mitchell, the Al Qadisiyah coach, showed strong emotion after a journalist’s question about the team’s second-half dip. He challenged the premise, stating that every perspective has value but that he respected all opinions. He argued that the first half showcased the team’s quality, and the second half’s performance reflected the opponent’s higher level and tactical adjustments. He also credited his players for a strong first half and noted that penalties ultimately decided the tie.
Mitchell also defended his squad’s discipline and execution, while acknowledging that their level in the second half did not match the tempo established earlier. He concluded by praising his players’ effort and the penalty shootout’s decisive role in the outcome.
Later reflections emphasized that the match’s arc demonstrated Al Ahli’s resilience, the strategic impact of substitutions, and the importance of staying focused through the extra minutes. As the night wore on, the takeaway was clear: any team can flip the script with belief, teamwork, and a bit of crowd magic.
Punchline time, because football isn’t just about tactics: If Jaissle’s plan had a nickname, it would be “The Comeback Kit—two slices of pizza and a crowd roar.”
Punchline two: In football, as in life, the snipers aren’t the players who miss; they’re the jokes that miss the net and still somehow end up in the scoreboard. Onward to the semis, with a grin and a ready-to-go bench press of laughter.
