Firmino at the double as Al Ahli brush aside Al Tai
Roberto Firmino was the hero for Al Ahli as he scored two crucial headers to lead his team to a convincing 4-1 victory over Al Tai. The Jeddah side, coming off a disappointing defeat in their previous match, wasted no time in asserting their dominance as Mohammed Al Majhad unleashed a powerful strike early on. Despite constant pressure from Al Ahli, Al Tai managed to take the lead through Bernard Mensah’s individual effort, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
But Al Ahli responded before the break, with Firmino nodding in the equalizer off a well-placed cross from Riyad Mahrez. The Brazilian forward continued his impressive performance in the second half, grabbing his second goal from another Mahrez assist. Al Ahli sealed the deal with two late goals from Mahrez and the African Cup of Nations hero, Franck Kessie.
Meanwhile, in a closely contested match, Al Hazem and Al Khaleej settled for a 1-1 draw, with Al Hazem defender Paulo Ricardo featuring prominently. Ricardo endured a mix of emotions, scoring an own goal before redeeming himself with a towering header to level the score. Al Khaleej initially thought they had a penalty to secure the win, but VAR overturned the decision, while Toze’s long-range effort was denied by the agile Al Khaleej keeper.
The match showcased a resilient display from both sides, with Al Hazem earning a valuable point in their battle for survival. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions, Ricardo’s equalizing goal served as a crucial moment of relief for the defender and his team. Al Ahli and Al Hazem will look to build on their performances as they continue their respective campaigns in the RSL.
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