Photo: Al Ahli FC
Momen Zakaria’s Saudi side Al Ahli have been reduced to a 2-1 away defeat against Qatari club Al Sadd in the round of the 16 of the AFC Champions League.
Zakaria started the game on the bench in the first leg of the Asian competitions tie, with the second leg scheduled to take place on May 15 in Saudi Arabia
Boualem Khoukhi managed to open the scoring for the hosts after a one-two exchange between him and Spain legend Xavi, who sent a smart through ball through Al Ahli’s defense for the Qatari forward to slot past the goalkeeper.
Al Sadd intensified their pressure on the visitors in order to increase their goal tally as much as possible, and in the 28th minute their efforts were productive after Khoukhi got his second of the night and the second for his team.
Momen Zakaria was subbed on three minutes before half-time whistle. However, Jesualdo Ferreira’s men managed to hold on their 2-0 advantage.
Saudi Professional League runner up entered the second half with a fierce desire to at least grab a crucial away goal and in a great fashion Saudi Arabia international Muhannad Assiri achieved the target for the Royal two minutes into the second half.
Afterwards, Al Sadd players kept the ball under their feet and tried to score further goals for the remainder of the second half, especially in the final 10 minutes when Baghdad Bounedjah and Xavi had a series of squandered opportunities for the game to end 2-1 in the Qatari team’s favour.
