A single moment of quality from Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez decided a fiercely contested Sea Derby, handing Al Ahli a vital 1-0 victory over rivals Al Ittihad at a vibrant Alinma Stadium. In a match where chances were scarce, the decisive play arrived ten minutes into the second half, breaking the deadlock and sending the travelling Al Ahli supporters into delirium.
A single moment of quality from Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez decided a fiercely contested Sea Derby, handing Al Ahli a vital 1-0 victory over rivals Al Ittihad at a vibrant Alinma Stadium. In a match where chances were scarce, the decisive play arrived ten minutes into the second half, breaking the deadlock and sending the travelling Al Ahli supporters into delirium.
The winning goal was a product of individual determination and clinical finishing. Franck Kessie initiated the move with a powerful, lung-busting run down the right flank. His driven cross into the penalty area was not cleared effectively by the Al Ittihad defense, and the ball fell perfectly for Riyad Mahrez, who reacted quickest to slot a composed finish past goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Despite being the designated away team, it was the Al Ahli fans whose cheers echoed around the stadium at the final whistle, prompting Kessie to proudly declare, “Today we are having a party, because Jeddah is green.”
The narrow win was a testament to Al Ahli's collective spirit and commitment, attributes that midfielder Franck Kessie emphasized were the foundation of their success. He revealed that a pre-match rallying cry focused on sheer effort was the key to navigating the high-pressure derby atmosphere. “When we start the game, I talk to the others, saying: 'Today, if we run more, if we all do 100%, we will win, and we will do it,'” Kessie stated after the match.
His sentiment was echoed by goal-scorer Mahrez, who acknowledged the gritty nature of the victory. “It wasn't an easy match. All the derbies we played against them were always very tight. It wasn't spectacular,” Mahrez said. “But you win a derby - and that's what we did today.” He went on to break down his match-winning contribution, crediting Kessie's initial run and a fortunate bounce that fell his way in a crowded penalty area.
The result carries significant weight in the Roshn Saudi League standings. For Al Ahli, the three points maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign, keeping them in fifth place and within four points of the top three. For the reigning champions, Al Ittihad, the defeat extends a concerning run of form, leaving them stuck in eighth position and without a league win in five matches. On this night, however, the table was secondary; for Al Ahli, all that mattered was claiming the local bragging rights.
