JEDDAH — Al Ahli extended their perfect start to four matches after an impressive 5-1 win over Iraq's Al Shorta in their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 tie at King Abdullah Sports City on Monday. Braces from Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez, along with a goal from Feras Al Brikan, brought Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli closer to securing a place in the knockout stage. Al Shorta's strategy of taking the game to their opponents saw Mohanad Ali attempt an audacious long-range effort from the right side of the box, which was comfortably collected by Al Ahli keeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi. The Iraqi outfit tried again in the third minute when Hussein Ali delivered a precise through ball to Mohammed Dawood, whose effort drew a brilliant save from Al Sanbi. Ameer Sabah came close again for Al Shorta in the ninth minute with a long-range effort that narrowly missed the target, while Al Ahli's Ibanez blew a chance to score from close range, steering Mahrez's cross just over the bar. The hosts finally found their rhythm in the 14th minute after Ziyad Al Johani sent a well-timed cross to Firmino, who scored with a glancing header over Al Shorta keeper Ahmed Basil. Al Shorta were given a lifeline in the 25th minute when Salomon Bindjeme II fouled Gabri Veiga; however, Franck Kessie's spot-kick was saved by Al Sanbi. The visitors drew level four minutes later after Dawood combined well with Veiga before feeding Sajjad Jasim, who rounded Al Sanbi and finished confidently. This goal set off a wave of Al Ahli attacks, with Ali Majrashi's effort leaving Basil scrambling across his line, narrowly missing the right post. Firmino should have scored eight minutes into first-half stoppage time when Kessie sent a deep ball into the box, but the Brazilian sent the ball agonizingly wide after a composed first touch. Firmino made amends two minutes later when Al Brikan muscled his way into the box and supplied the cross for Firmino to blast home from close range. Al Ahli turned up the tempo in the second half, with Firmino turning provider eight minutes after the restart for Al Brikan, who slotted home with a simple finish. Al Shorta crumbled under pressure as Mahrez showcased individual brilliance, scoring twice in quick succession—first in the 61st minute, finishing off Al Brikan's setup, and then scoring from Ziyad Al Johani's cutback. Both sides will face teams from the United Arab Emirates next, with Al Ahli set to play Al Ain while Al Shorta targets their first win against Al Wasl.
