Al Ahli Saudi FC's Enzo Millot celebrates after scoring a goal.
Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC returned to winning ways after notching a 4-0 victory against Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC in the AFC Champions League Elite yesterday.
Held to a 2-2 draw by Qatar’s Al Duhail SC in their previous fixture, three goals in the space of nine first half minutes sent the reigning champions on the road to victory as they moved onto seven points with Al Gharafa four adrift after suffering their second defeat.
Al Gharafa, despite being the visitors, took the game to Al Ahli with Joselu flashing a half volley wide of Edouard Mendy’s goal before Ferjani Sassi’s backheel pass sent Yacine Brahimi through with Enzo Millot doing well in tracking back to stop the midfielder.
The early nerves faded for Al Ahli as they started to create chances with Riyad Mahrez’s drilled free-kick in the 14th minute pushed away by the giant frame of Khalifa Ababacar before the Al Gharafa custodian then stretched out his telescopic leg to prevent the Algerian from the opening goal.
An injury to Fabricio Diaz, which led to the midfielder’s substitution at the half-hour mark, put Al Gharafa in a state of disarray with Al Ahli taking advantage to open the scoring two minutes later when Millot swept home a Matheus Goncalves cross from the left.
Al Ahli were now oozing confidence with Goncalves earning his second assist after he surged past Mason Holgate before clipping a cross for Franck Kessie to nod home six minutes later.
A flowing move in the 41st minute saw Al Ahli further extend their lead, Kessie feeding Mahrez on the right with the latter returning the favour for the former to smash home on the run.
The second half proved to be a more cagey affair as Al Ahli eased off the pressure while Al Gharafa’s chances were not helped by midfield lynchpin Aron Gunnarsson not reappearing for the second period, with his place taken by Mohammed Muntari.
Al Ahli, however, did net a fourth with substitute Saleh Alshamat wrapping up the points in the 76th minute after he was sent racing clear by Ivan Toney, rounding Ababacar before slotting the ball into an unguarded goalmouth. (AFC)
