Al-Khaleej 1-3 Al-Ahli: Riyad Mahrez opens his account in Saudi Arabia, with Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez also scoring for the visitors a week after his move from Roma
Former Man City star Riyad Mahrez opens his account in Saudi Arabia with a goal in Al-Ahli’s 3-1 win over Al-Khaleej, with Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez also scoring just a week after moving from Roma
- Al-Ahli achieved two wins out of two in the Saudi Pro League by defeating Al-Khaleej
- Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal in Saudi Arabia just before half-time
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Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal since joining Al-Ahli from Manchester City as his new club secured two of two wins in the Saudi Pro League by beating Al-Khaleej 3-1.
Former Roma defender Roger Ibanez put the visitors ahead within ten minutes, while Mahrez made his mark on the scoresheet just before half-time.
Substitute Mansour Hamzi halved the hosts’ deficit within fifteen minutes into the second half, but winger Sumayhan Al-Nabit got Al-Ahli’s third in stoppage time.
Ibanez, who moved to Saudi Arabia from Serie A side Roma just a week ago, scored nine minutes into the game at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium. Mahrez played a nice ball in the penalty area, which Gjanni Alioski shot across the danger zone to Ibanez, who converted from close range.
Mahrez was involved in the build-up of his goal before sprinting into the box and making a smart finish from inside the box.
Riyad Mahrez scored his first goal since joining Al-Ahli as they won 3-1 against Al-Khaleej
Former Roma defender Roger Ibanez put the visitors ahead within ten minutes
Ex-Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin provided an assist, while Eduoard Mendy was in goal
Hamzi came off the bench for Al-Khaleej at half-time and scored within 15 minutes of the restart.
The ball swirled into the penalty area and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy was unable to handle it, leaving Hamzi in the box for a simple header that made it 2-1.
However, Al-Khaleej failed to find the equalizer and allowed Al-Ahli to complete their win 11 minutes into stoppage time.
Former Newcastle United player Allan Saint-Maximin assisted Al-Nabit and passed a clever low ball to the winger that put the game to bed.
The result leaves Al-Ahli at the top of the Saudi Pro League for the time being with two wins to come, though most of the other top teams have yet to play their second game of the campaign.
It was a second consecutive 3-1 victory for Al-Ahli, after beating Al-Hazem by the same score last week. Fmore Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick that day, but was unable to increase his season tally against Al-Khaleej.
Al-Khaleej, who started their season with a 3-1 loss at Al Feiha, will travel to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq next Thursday. On the same day, Al-Ahli receives Al Akhdoud.
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