Al Ittihad Triumphs Over Al Ahli 1-0 As Saleh Al Shehri Scores Key Goal In Derby Match

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Saleh Al Shehri's decisive goal led Al Ittihad to a narrow victory over Jeddah rivals Al Ahli, bringing them level on points with Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal. Al Shehri scored in the 42nd minute from a Moussa Diaby cross, securing a 1-0 lead for Laurent Blanc's team. Diaby nearly extended the lead, but his attempt was thwarted by the woodwork.

Al Ahli believed they had equalised when Franck Kessie scored in the 59th minute, but VAR ruled it offside. Earlier, Ivan Toney almost scored after bypassing Al Ittihad's goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, but Abdulelah Al Amri cleared it off the line. These missed chances left Al Ahli frustrated as they sought to level the score.

Al Ittihad managed an expected goals (xG) total of 1.06 with four shots on target from 12 attempts. In contrast, Al Ahli recorded an xG of 1.01 with three shots on target. This statistical analysis highlights how closely matched both teams were during the game.

With this win, Al Ittihad accumulated 24 points from nine matches, equalling defending champions Al Hilal's tally. Meanwhile, Al Ahli sits in 11th place, trailing by 13 points with only one victory in their last five games. The standings reflect the contrasting fortunes of these two teams in recent weeks.

Historical Context and Winning Trends

The trend of winning after scoring first continued for Al Ittihad, as teams leading in league meetings between these sides have not lost in nine matches (W8 D1). Blanc achieved his first derby win against Al Ahli in the league; Cosmin Contra is the only other coach among their last 14 to do so.

This victory underscores how crucial scoring first has been for Al Ittihad this season. They have won all six matches where they netted the opening goal. Such consistency highlights their ability to maintain leads and secure victories under pressure.