Steven Bergwijn strikes twice as Al-Ittihad begin Asian campaign with victory over Al Jazira

Steven Bergwijn opened Al-Ittihad’s scoring for the new season with two goals as the Saudi club began Jens Vissing’s reign with a 2-0 win over Al Jazira in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Elite.

The Netherlands winger struck once in each half at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, giving Al-Ittihad a commanding advantage in their opening competitive fixture under German manager Vissing.

Bergwijn put Al-Ittihad ahead after 12 minutes. Moussa Diaby delivered a cross from the wing which the Al Jazira defence failed to clear, allowing Bergwijn to meet the loose ball first time and send his effort into the net.

The pair combined again seven minutes before half-time. Diaby produced another impressive run down the right before finding Bergwijn, who finished superbly past goalkeeper Ali Khasif to double the Saudi side’s lead.

The two goals recalled Al-Ittihad’s historic 2024-25 season, when the club won both the Saudi league and cup. Diaby and Bergwijn played a significant role in that success, sharing a number of goals between them during the campaign.

Bergwijn’s brace represented Al-Ittihad’s first goals of the new season and provided an ideal start to Vissing’s first official match in charge. The German coach took over from former manager Sergio Conceicao.

The result came in the preliminary round for a place in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite, with Al-Ittihad facing Al Jazira at the Abu Dhabi stadium as they sought to advance in the continental competition.

For Bergwijn, the performance marked an encouraging beginning to a new chapter at the club. He endured a difficult previous season with Al-Ittihad, particularly while Conceicao remained unconvinced by his ability.

The winger has now begun the campaign under a different manager in decisive fashion, scoring both of his side’s goals and renewing the attacking partnership with Diaby that had been so important during Al-Ittihad’s double-winning 2024-25 season.

Vissing’s first competitive match therefore produced both a victory and a familiar attacking pattern for Al-Ittihad, with Bergwijn profiting from Diaby’s service on two occasions. The Saudi club’s new campaign has started with memories of its most successful recent season.