https://arab.news/45p8v
- A 3-1 win over Al-Khaleej in Dammam means the Jeddah club now have 6 points from 2 matches
Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle has praised his team鈥檚 fighting spirit after they secured an important 3-1 win over Al-Khaleej in difficult weather conditions on Thursday night at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
The victory took the newly-promoted Jeddah club to the top of the Roshn Saudi League table.
Roger Ibanez gave Al-Ahli a ninth-minute lead before Algerian star Riyad Mahrez doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time.
The home team reduced the deficit in the 58th minute through Mansour Ibrahim Hamzi, but Al-Ahli held out and put the game to bed in the 101st minute through Sumayhan Al-Nabit鈥檚 goal.
鈥淚t was a crazy match that lasted more than 90 minutes,鈥� Jaissle said in his press conference after the match. 鈥淎nd the players fought hard to claim the win and points, and continue our run of victories.鈥�
The German coach also explained why he ran onto the pitch after the third goal: 鈥淚t was an emotional moment, so I went out to celebrate with the players. The match was difficult and I am an emotional person.鈥�
鈥淭he absence of Firmino was difficult, but we have a suitable alternative, which is (Fahd) Al-Rashidi, and he has great potential.鈥�