Al Ahli surge to fifth after dominant four-goal win over Al Fateh

Al Ahli moved up to fifth in the Roshn Saudi League after securing a convincing 4-0 victory away to Al Fateh in Al-Ahsa on Friday.

The visitors controlled the match from the opening stages at Midan Tamweel Al Oula Stadium, with Al Fateh goalkeeper Shimbir forced into a series of early saves.

Al Juhani was first to threaten in the fifth minute, meeting a well-delivered cross with a powerful header that Shimbir did well to keep out. The goalkeeper then denied Trincao’s fierce, low effort from the edge of the penalty area five minutes later.

Shimbir remained Al Fateh’s most effective defender as he pushed Toney’s curling attempt around the post in the 19th minute. Al Ahli went close again in the 24th minute, when Atangana’s header struck the post.

Jota Goncalves then sent a curling effort narrowly wide before Al Ahli finally took the lead in the 31st minute. Goncalves’ low cross was parried by Shimbir, but the ball fell to Trincao, who finished first time into the net.

Al Fateh almost levelled in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half. A misplaced return pass from Al-Sulaiman allowed Kanga to run through clear on goal, but his finish went unexpectedly wide of the post.

Al Ahli doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart, with Trincao again benefiting from a low delivery that Shimbir could only push away. The forward reacted quickly to strike the loose ball into the net and complete his second goal of the night.

Toney effectively settled the contest in the 60th minute. He collected a precise through ball, moved clear of the Al Fateh defence and lifted a composed finish over the advancing goalkeeper.

Al Juhani completed the scoring in the 89th minute with a shot from inside the area. The effort brushed Shimbir’s fingertips before finding the back of the net.

The result lifted Al Ahli to 15 points and fifth place in the league table. Al Fateh remain 17th and second-bottom, with three points from their campaign so far.