Al Ahli’s pre-season alarm grows after third defeat in overseas training camp

Asian champions Al Ahli slipped to a third defeat of their pre-season schedule, losing 2-0 to Portuguese second-tier side Portimonense in Portugal as preparations for the 2026-27 campaign continued to stutter.

The Saudi Pro League club, who are in the final stages of an overseas training camp, were beaten on Tuesday in a friendly played during their stay in Portugal, adding to concerns over form ahead of the new season.

Portimonense, currently competing in Portugal’s second division, struck twice without reply to hand Al Ahli another setback in what has been a mixed run of warm-up fixtures.

Mixed results across Austria and Portugal

This latest reverse follows a 4-1 defeat to German side Holstein Kiel during Al Ahli’s earlier training phase in Austria, and a 3-1 loss to Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes after the squad moved on to Portugal.

Across their five friendlies so far, Al Ahli have managed just one victory. That came emphatically against Austrian outfit Saalfelden, who were beaten 8-0 in what was the Saudi club’s first pre-season outing in Austria.

Al Ahli also recorded a 2-2 draw with Portuguese side Rio Ave during their current leg of preparations, leaving their overall pre-season record at one win, one draw and three defeats.

Jesile limits foreign involvement

Head coach Matthias Jaissle opted for a largely domestically based line-up against Portimonense. The German manager started the match with only one foreign player, Brazilian winger Galeno, who was withdrawn at half-time.

No other overseas professional was introduced after the interval, as Jaissle continued to use the camp to assess local options and squad depth rather than fielding his full contingent of foreign stars.

The approach suggests the coaching staff are prioritising fitness, tactical work and evaluation of Saudi players, even as results have raised questions from supporters about early-season readiness.

Fulham test to close Portuguese camp

Al Ahli are scheduled to play one more friendly on Tuesday in Portugal, facing English side Fulham in what will be their final warm-up fixture before leaving their training base and returning to Jeddah.

The remaining foreign players in the squad are expected to feature in that match, with the club anticipating a stronger representation of its international signings as it looks to close the camp on a positive note.

After the Fulham game, Al Ahli will head back to Saudi Arabia to complete final preparations for the start of the 2026-27 season, aiming to turn pre-season lessons and a worrying set of results into sharper competitive performances when their title defence begins.