Postecoglou calls on Al-Nassr youngsters ahead of Al-Ahli showdown

Al-Nassr have brought six Under-21 players into first-team training as they prepare for Friday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Ahli.

The Riyadh side will visit their traditional rivals at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah in a fixture postponed from the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, Al-Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has turned to players from the Jawi Elite League, Saudi Arabia’s Under-21 competition, to help cover international absences and injuries.

Youssef Al-Tahan, Yassin Salam and Bassam Hazzazi have been called up to fill in for senior players away with their national teams during the current international break.

Postecoglou has also added three goalkeepers to the training squad: Abdulhadi Al-Alwan, Sultan Al-Mas, and Khalid Al-Dosari.

Nawaf Al-Aqeedi, Raghed Al-Najjar and Mubarak Al-Buainain are unavailable because of injury, while Brazilian goalkeeper Bento is with Brazil for the international break.

Young midfielder Abdulrahman Sufyani was not available for selection because of an ankle-joint injury. The problem also prevented him from joining the Saudi Olympic team.

The move mirrors the approach taken by Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal, who has also promoted Under-21 players from the Jawi Elite League to help deal with a substantial number of absentees.

Al-Nassr returned to training on Friday after a nine-day break granted by Postecoglou during the international window.

They sit third in the Saudi Pro League with 28 points, two behind leaders Al-Hilal and level on points with second-placed Al-Qadsiah, who are ahead on goal difference.

Al-Ahli are sixth on 21 points, having recorded seven wins and four defeats. They are nine points behind Al-Hilal.

In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al-Ahli are sixth in the West region with eight points from two wins and two draws. They remain unbeaten in the competition.

Al-Nassr are seventh in the same group with six points from two wins and one defeat. They also have a postponed match against UAE club Al Wasl.

Both teams have reached the last 16 of the King’s Cup. Al-Ahli beat Al-Anwar 2-1 in the round of 32 and will face AlUla at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Stadium in Medina on Monday, 11 January. Al-Nassr defeated Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the Riyadh derby and will meet Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on the same day.

The clubs are also due to compete in the Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait. Al-Ahli play Al-Qadsiah on 19 December, while Al-Nassr face Al-Kholood a day later. If both progress, they will meet in the final on 23 December.