In a remarkable display at Al-Inmaa Stadium in Jeddah, Al-Ahli Jeddah secured a significant victory against Damac, scoring two quick goals in the 27th round of the Roshen Professional League. This win not only bolstered their position in the league but also marked a historic achievement as Al-Ahli set a new record by scoring in 36 consecutive home matches.
However, the match was not without its challenges for Al-Ahli. Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez was injured and substituted in the 53rd minute, adding to the team’s growing list of injury woes. Al-Ahli has lost all their key defenders ahead of the crucial knockout stages of the AFC Champions League.
In addition to Ibanez, full-backs Ali Majrashi and Zakaria Hawsawi were sidelined due to injuries sustained during international duty. Turkish defender Merih Demiral has also been out since before the last international break, leaving Al-Ahli’s manager Matthias Jaissle with limited options in defense.
Jaissle is now relying on four non-regulars to fill the defensive gaps as the team prepares for upcoming matches. Despite these setbacks, Al-Ahli’s recent performance against Damac demonstrates their resilience and ability to score under pressure.
Looking ahead, Al-Ahli will face Al-Fayha in the 29th round of the Roshen League next Wednesday. This match will be crucial as they continue to navigate the challenges posed by injuries.
Furthermore, Al-Ahli is set to kick off their AFC Champions League campaign against Qatar’s Al-Duhail on April 13. This match will be pivotal for the team as they aim to advance in the tournament.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the extent of the injuries to key players, which could significantly impact Al-Ahli’s strategy moving forward. The team’s ability to adapt to these challenges will be tested in the coming weeks.
