JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Ivan Toney needed just six minutes to announce his presence at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, and though Al Ahli would finish the match with nine men, they secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Al Fayha in a feisty Saudi Pro League encounter that saw the referee's notebook working overtime.
The English striker's early strike set the tone for a match that would test Al Ahli's resolve as much as their quality. Toney pounced in the sixth minute, capitalizing on defensive hesitation to slot home and give the hosts a dream start. The goal proved crucial, allowing Al Ahli to absorb pressure while Al Fayha dominated the ball with 63.4% possession, pinning the hosts back for long stretches. Ibañez doubled the advantage in the 64th minute, finishing clinically to seemingly put the match beyond doubt. Yet the Brazilian defender's evening would end in controversy, receiving his marching orders in the 85th minute to leave Al Ahli with nine men for a nervy finale.
The tactical battle became increasingly fractured as tempers flared throughout the contest. Al Fayha controlled possession but struggled to translate territorial dominance into clear-cut chances, managing just one shot on target from their eight attempts. Zakaria Al Hawsawi anchored Al Ahli's defense admirably before the red card chaos, while goalkeeper duties at both ends proved relatively light work despite the possession imbalance. The referee was busy, brandishing six cards in total, with Al Ahli collecting four yellows to accompany Ibañez's dismissal, while Al Fayha's Rayan Enad saw yellow in the 15th minute.
Despite Al Fayha's territorial superiority, Al Ahli demonstrated ruthless efficiency where it mattered most. The hosts managed four shots on target from nine attempts, converting two crucial moments while Al Fayha's lone effort on goal failed to trouble the Al Ahli goalkeeper. The visitors edged the corner count 4-3 and committed fewer fouls, but their inability to test the opposition keeper proved decisive. Al Ahli's two saves compared to Al Fayha's one told the story of clinical finishing versus profligate possession.
The match's defining moment arrived five minutes from time when Ibañez saw red, transforming what should have been a comfortable closing period into a desperate defensive stand. Manager decisions earlier had seen Waheb Saleh and Eid Al Muwallad introduced in the 59th and 60th minutes respectively, fresh legs that would prove vital in protecting the two-goal cushion. Al Fayha threw on Stylianos Vrontis and Sabri Abdu Dahal in the 65th minute, then Khalid Al Rammah and Malek Al Abdulmonam with ten minutes remaining, but the numerical advantage came too late to salvage anything from the contest.
Looking ahead, Al Ahli will host Al Nassr on January 2 in what promises to be a crucial encounter, while Al Fayha will look to bounce back when they host Al Kholood on the same date.