Al Ahli Saudi FC's Riyad Mahrez scores his team's second goal. Pic: ALAHLI_FCEN
Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli Saudi claimed a vital 3-1 victory over Al Rayyan in a captivating first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie, leaving the Qatari side facing a monumental task to stage one of the greatest comebacks in the competition’s history.
Al Rayyan, despite a strong start at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, found themselves two goals down by the 34th minute after Al Ahli struck through Galeno (30’) and Riyad Mahrez (34’).
Roger Guedes sparked hope for the home side with a stunning goal in the 71st minute, and almost equalised in stoppage time, hitting the woodwork. However, substitute Feras Al Brikan sealed the win for Al Ahli with a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Al Rayyan's Roger Guedes celebrates after scoring a goal. PIC: AFC
Adding insult to injury, Al Rayyan’s Adam Bareiro saw his yellow card upgraded to a red after a reckless challenge on Fahad Al Rashidi in the dying moments of the match.
Al Rayyan now face a daunting task in the second leg at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The match kicked off at a high tempo, with Al Rayyan enjoying early possession. Abdulaziz Hatem’s shot in the 7th minute, assisted by Guedes, went wide while Thiago Mendes came close in the 23rd minute but fired just left of the target after a corner. Guedes also had a chance but was denied by Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
It was Al Ahli who broke the deadlock through a brilliant Brazilian link-up. Roberto Firmino chipped the ball from the right to Galeno, who headed it into the bottom corner to put the visitors ahead.
Al Rayyan’s goalkeeper Paulo Victor was at fault for Al Ahli’s second goal shortly after the opener. He handled a back from Ameed Mahajneh in a goalmouth scramble, with Mahrez making no mistake with a hit into the top right corner following the resulting set piece.
Al Rayyan fought back and David Garcia had a chance before halftime, but Mendy made a crucial save to keep Al Ahli’s lead intact.
In the second half, Al Rayyan came out strong. Romarinho fired a shot from distance that narrowly missed, while Al Ahli threatened with multiple counter-attacks.
Guedes brought Al Rayyan back into the game with a powerful strike from outside the box, assisted by substitute Ahmed Al Rawi. It was his fourth goal in the competition.
Al Ahli nearly regained their two-goal cushion, but Firmino’s shot was saved by Victor and Garcia made a crucial block to keep Al Rayyan alive. A goal by Gabri Veiga was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Guedes came close to leveling in the second minute of stoppage time, but his powerful shot struck the bar. As Al Rayyan pressed forward, Al Ahli struck on the counter. Galeno found Al Brikan in the box, who calmly slotted home to seal the win. Bareiro’s red card in the final moments capped off a painful evening for the home side.
