Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia Edge Past Al-Anwar in King's Cup
Al-Anwar hosted Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia in the Round of 32 of the King's Cup on Sunday, and the visitors pulled away late to claim a 2-1 victory. The result sends Al-Ahli through to the next stage while Al-Anwar's cup campaign comes to an end. By then, the match had already shown its character — the hosts pressing forward, the visitors waiting to strike on the break.
E. Spertsyan gave Al-Anwar the lead in the 61st minute, a moment that shifted the tempo of the game. Al-Ahli responded with changes, bringing on S. Grzan and Bruno Bezerra together in the 67th minute. The substitution block continued with S. Abu Al Shamat off and b. F. Al Samti coming on in the 71st. Three more changes came in the 85th minute as I. K. Eissa, Trincao and R. Al Mutairi entered the field.
Galeno equalised for Al-Ahli in the 89th minute, and R. Bensayah turned the tie in their favour two minutes later. Al-Anwar had opportunities to respond but could not find the net. The visitors held the tie in their own hands once that second goal fell, and they managed it without panic. Al-Anwar pushed forward in search of another equaliser but ran out of time.
The statistics tell a story of control without conversion. Al-Ahli enjoyed 65 per cent possession and launched 105 attacks compared to 64 from the hosts. They created four big chances against three, and their expected goals figure stood at 2.59 to 1.2. Al-Anwar registered three shots on target but could not convert, while Al-Ahli managed just three on target despite the higher volume. And here's the thing — it is not always about who had more, it is about who took theirs.
Yellow cards went to I. K. Eissa in the 22nd minute and to A. Al Rashidi twice, in the 73rd and 74th. E. Spertsyan was taken off in stoppage time after scoring, a tactical switch rather than an injury. Al-Anwar's recent form has been mixed, with only one win in their last five competitive matches. Al-Ahli came into this game with a 1-0 victory over Al-Dir'iyah on Wednesday, and they carried that momentum through.
The goal difference for Al-Ahli improves with this win, and they now hold a place in the latter stages of the tournament. Al-Anwar will have to reflect on a match where they created enough but finished poorly. The King's Cup offers little margin for error, and this was a game decided in the final minutes. The hosts will look at the big chances they created and wonder how things might have gone differently.