Tony’s Thunder: Al Ahli Jeddah Set to Firepower Down Al Shorta in Elite Asia Showdown

Match Preview

The German coach Matias Jaissle has named Al Ahli Saudi FC's starting XI for their Elite Asia clash with Al Shorta of Iraq as the six-round group stage moves forward. The champions aim to rebound after their previous defeat to Sharjah in the UAE.

Jaissle signaled in a press conference that he would rely on a blend of regulars and squad depth, with a few changes due to AFCON absences or injuries.

Lineups and Key Facts

Al Ahli's starting lineup features Abdulrahman Al-Saibi in goal; a defensive line of Manaf Younes, Mehdi Ashabi, Mustafa Saadoun and Hassan Raed; midfielders Ziad Al-Jahani, Valentin Atangana and Mateus Gonçalves; and up front Fahd Al-Rashidi, Wenderson Galino and Ivan Tony.

On the bench are Abdullah Abdu, Salman Al-Jadani, Zakaria Housaawi, Mohammed Suleiman, Yasin Al-Zubaidi, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Ziad Mala, Ryan Hamid, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Ramiz Al-Tair.

Al Shorta's lineup in this match includes goalkeeper Ahmed Bas; defense Manaf Younes, Mehdi Ashabi, Mustafa Saadoun and Hassan Raed; midfield Dominic Mendì, Abdulrazak Qasim, Mahmoud Al Mawas; forwards Ahmed Farhan, Lionel Atiba and Hussein Ali. The substitutes include Bassam Shaker, Abdulmujid Bobakr, Hassan Ahmed, Mohammed Kareem, Salem Ahmed, Sharif Abdulkadhim, Abdulkhaliq Abdullah, Hussein Jabar, Mohammed Dawood and Atheer Saleh.

Prediction and notes: watch how Tony leads the charge and whether the defense can hold under pressure. This is a high-stakes clash in a competition where every goal counts.

Punchline 1: Tony’s shots are so precise the scoreboard filed a complaint for defamation of angles.

Punchline 2: The only thing louder than the whistle is the bench’s laughter when the coach asks for more coffee substitutes.