Al-Sahlawi questions Al-Ahli Saudi FC’s attacking threat as Auckland City frustrate hosts

Former Saudi Arabia forward Mohammed Al-Sahlawi has criticised Al-Ahli Saudi FC’s performance against Auckland City, saying the home side’s dominance of possession had failed to produce a meaningful attacking threat.

Al-Sahlawi made his comments while analysing the first half of the two teams’ opening-round meeting in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Although Al-Ahli Saudi FC had enjoyed clear territorial control, he said their possession had been largely ineffective and had not created genuine danger for the Oceania champions.

“Al-Ahli control the flow of the match with a high percentage of possession, but this control has not been converted into scoring chances or effective pressure. In contrast, Auckland’s defence is very well organised,” Al-Sahlawi said on MBC Action.

The former Saudi international identified the slow circulation of the ball and a lack of individual creativity in the final third as the main problems facing the Jeddah-based side.

He said that approach had made life easier for Auckland City’s defence, with the New Zealand side retreating into its own half and closing the spaces in front of Firas Al-Birakan.

“The real problem for Al-Ahli is the very slow movement of the ball and the absence of individual solutions in the final third,” Al-Sahlawi said. “That made the job easier for Auckland’s defence, which packed its defensive areas and closed the spaces in front of Firas Al-Birakan, leaving the Green’s attempts limited to ineffective crosses.”

Al-Sahlawi called for Al-Ahli Saudi FC to increase the tempo after the interval and vary their methods of attack if they were to break through the visitors’ defensive structure.

“Al-Ahli must raise the tempo, rely on attacking through the middle and try shooting from outside the area to break this defensive organisation,” he added.

He also warned that continuing in the same manner could give Auckland City greater confidence as the match progressed and make the Asian champions’ search for the opening goal more difficult.

“Continuing with this negative performance could give the New Zealand team greater confidence as the minutes pass and complicate the task of the Asian champions in looking for the opening goal,” Al-Sahlawi said.

The match was being played at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, where Al-Ahli Saudi FC had strong support from their home crowd as they looked for an impressive start to their global campaign.

Auckland City, the champions of Oceania, were attempting to maintain their defensive discipline and cause an upset against the hosts. Their organisation at the back had frustrated Al-Ahli’s attempts to turn possession into clear opportunities during the first half.

Al-Sahlawi’s assessment was also shared in a post on social media featuring the words: “Mohammed Al-Sahlawi: Al-Ahli’s possession was negative, and Auckland’s defence is organised.” The post carried the hashtags #MBCACTION and #AlAhli_Auckland.

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