Al-Ahli dominates Al-Ta'ee with 2-0 victory

 

Al-Ahli shows its class with two goals from its summer signings Mahrez and Kessie. The club remains unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Ahli, the Saudi Arabian football club, has extended its unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League with a convincing 2-0 victory over Al-Ta'ee on Tuesday. The match, which was played at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, saw the hosts dominate the game with two goals from their star players.

The first goal came in the 39th minute, when Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, who joined Al-Ahli from Manchester City this summer, scored a stunning free kick from 25 yards out. The ball curled over the wall and into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper no chance. Mahrez celebrated his fourth goal of the season with his trademark heart-shaped gesture.

The second goal arrived in the 59th minute, when Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, who also signed for Al-Ahli from AC Milan this summer, doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner. Kessie rose above his marker and nodded the ball into the net, scoring his third goal of the season.

Al-Ahli controlled the game with 63% possession and 18 shots, while Al-Ta'ee only managed 6 shots and none on target. The visitors also had a player sent off in the 76th minute, when defender Abdullah Al-Harbi received a second yellow card for a foul on Mahrez.

The win puts Al-Ahli on top of the table with 12 points from four games, three points ahead of second-placed Al-Hilal. Al-Ta'ee remains in the bottom half of the table with 4 points from four games.

Al-Ahli's coach Matthias Jaissle praised his team's performance and said he was happy with the result. He also commended Mahrez and Kessie for their goals and their overall contribution to the team.

"They are both world-class players and they showed it today. They have adapted well to our style of play and they have a good understanding with their teammates. They are also very humble and hard-working. I am very pleased with them and with all the players," Jaissle said in a post-match interview.

Al-Ahli will face Al-Faisaly in their next league game on Saturday, while Al-Ta'ee will host Al-Ittihad on Friday.