Dubai: Al Ahli Saudi shot into the quarter-final stage of the 2017 AFC Champions League on Tuesday thanks to a 3-1 victory over their UAE-based namesake Al Ahli.
Enjoying 57.4 percent of possession, the visitors showed their class to cut through the Emirati side twice early in the first-half—before adding a third after the break.
While Al Ahli (UAE) enjoyed 10 shots to their victors’ 11, it was the quality of chance which eventually proved key for the Jeddah-based side.
Left flank bears fruit for Saudi visitors
Al Ahli Saudi enjoyed great joy down the left flank throughout the match, with two of their three goals coming from incisive breaks down the left channel.
While their opening goal may have been the result of a corner, Hussain Al Mogahwi’s powerful second came from a defensive inability to deal with a left-sided attack and the penalty which contributed the side’s third came after a foul on the same flank.
While more of the side’s attacking play focused on the right (44.4 percent) as opposed to the left (36.1 percent), it was on the left that most joy was earned—five of the side’s six shots on target came from left of centre of the goal.
Making 59 passes (the most of any Al Ahli Saudi defender), left-back Mohamed Shafy’s important role in building from the back was a major contributing factor to that left-sided strength.
Shot accuracy proves decisive
Another aspect in which Al Ahli Saudi were able to turn a tight tie in their favour was through their clinical finishing when presented with opportunities.
They enjoyed only one more shot overall than their rivals (11-10) and fewer from inside the area (7-9), yet were able to get considerably more of those efforts
A shot accuracy of 66.7 percent as opposed to their rivals’ 25 percent meant that they were testing goalkeeper Majed Naser on a more regular basis and ensured that what a combative game swung in their favour.
Stubborn defence the key
While fast attacking movement and clinical finishing was a major factor in the Saudis’ success, the stubborn defensive effort they put up should also be acknowledged.
Al Ahli (UAE) struggled to carve out clear-cut chances and turned to the flanks in their pursuit of goals, making 23 crosses on the night—26.1 percent of which were accurate.
Yet the visitors’ defence held firm, making a remarkable 24 clearances over the course of the game. The Emirati side, by contrast, made just seven.
With dual success not far off equal (48-52), Al Ahli Saudi instead opted to sit deep and compactly, dealing with the pressure as it arrived having already taken an early two-goal lead on the night.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com