Photo: Al-Raed
Al Raed capitulated in the second half as they lost 3-0 to Jeddah giants Al Ahli thanks to goals from Leonardo, Al Somah and Al Moqahwi.
Al Raed XI: Sharahili, Al Mutlaq, Sabia, Atwa, Al Amri, Amora, Erraki, Dos Santos, Al Shehri, Al Sawadi, Bangoura.
Al Ahli XI: Al Mosailem, Kurdi, Milligan, Al Sahbi, Al Harbi, Al Jassim, Al Moqahwi, Asiri, Fetfatzidis, Leonardo, Al Somah.
Egyptian talisman Shikabala started the game on the bench, as Al Raed were potentially looking to have more of a workrate driven side to counter the dominance that Al Ahli were likely to have in possession.
This proved to be the case as Al Ahli went on to have 59% possession, however they failed to provide a breakthrough in the first half.
Brazilian winger Leonardo would be the one to create the opening for Al Ahli as Kurdi’s accurate cross found him in the box and the 25 year old had the time and space to take a touch before finishing into the roof of the net.
Shikabala was soon brought on to try to swing the game into Al Raed’s favour, however any hope of a comeback was quickly diminished as a pinpoint through ball found Leonardo and the Brazilian turned from scorer to provider as he squared the ball to Omar Al Somah who scored his almost expected goal for the game.
Taisir Al Jassim has been a prominent name in the Saudi league for a number of years now, and he picked up another assist as his lofted pass over the defence found its way to Al Moqahwi who slotted the ball past Sharahili to put the game beyond all doubt, which went on to finish 3-0 to Al Ahli.
The result means that Al Ahli keep pace with league leaders Al Hilal, with the gap being just one point. Al Raed remain in 13th place, two points clear of Ohod at the foot of the table.
Al Raed’s next game is away at Al Feiha after the international break on the 6th of April at 8:40pm Egyptian time.
