Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Dammam: AFC Champions League 2012 runners-up Al Ahli bounced back from a disappointing continental midweek’s outings by dismantling fellow Saudi Arabia ACL 2013 representative Al Ettifaq 4-1 away from home in the Saudi Pro League.
The Jeddah based club who sacked their coach Karel Jarolim last week and brought in Serbian Aleksandar Ilic, started brightly after Abdulrahim Jaizawi found the net as early as in the 7th minute.
The win fired Ahli at the fourth place but they are still a staggering 13 points behind surprised leader Al Fateh. Al Ettifaq, who had suffered a 1-0 defeat away in Uzbekistan against Pakhtakor in their ACL 2013 opener, are at the sixth place with 31 points.
Brazilian Bruno Cesar (Zanaki) doubled the lead in the 60th minute and Sultan Al Sawadi put the match beyond the reach of Ettifaq by scoring Ahli’s third goal of the night in the 88th minute. Jaizawi netted his brace fourth minute into the stoppage time.
After winning their first match of ACL 2013 comfortably against Qatar big spending Al Gharafa, Al Ahli travel to Dubai to face Al Nasr, who qualified in the group stages through a playoff and lost their first match 3-0 against Iran Champions Sepahan. Al Ettifaq host Qatar champions Lekhwiya on 12 March.