Al-Ahli Jeddah’s superior efficiency in front of goal proved decisive as they defeated Al Khaleej Saihat 4-1 at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium. The visitors’ 54% possession and 13 total shots, compared to their hosts’ nine, provided the platform for a victory that was more emphatic than the expected goals alone would suggest. Al Khaleej Saihat’s 1.09 expected goals fell short of Al-Ahli’s 1.93, a gap that accurately reflects a contest in which the away side created the better chances and converted them with composure. The Lemeister model had favoured Al-Ahli Jeddah at 56% probability, a projection that proved well founded.
The scoring opened inside eight minutes when R. Hamidou found the net from an I. Toney assist to give Al-Ahli an early advantage. Al Khaleej Saihat responded through Giorgos Masouras in the 17th minute, finishing after S. Al Amri’s assist to level the score. The equaliser briefly shifted momentum, but Al-Ahli regained the lead before half-time through F. Al Buraikan, who was set up by S. Abu Al Shamat in the 34th minute. The match’s pivotal moment came early in the second half when an A. Al Salem effort was turned into his own goal by the Al Khaleej defence in the 50th minute, extending the visitors’ lead to 3-1. Matheus Goncalves capped the scoring in the 78th minute, assisted by M. Abdulrahman, sealing a comfortable margin by which the scoreline matched the underlying dominance.
The statistical breakdown reinforces Al-Ahli’s control, particularly after the interval. They attempted 11 shots from inside the box compared to Al Khaleej’s eight, and their seven shots on target forced four saves from Anthony Moris. The home side managed only four shots on goal from their nine attempts, with two blocked, indicating defensive organisation from Al-Ahli. Al Khaleej’s 79% pass accuracy contrasted with Al-Ahli’s 87%, a disparity that speaks to the visitors’ greater composure in possession and their ability to retain the ball under pressure. The home side earned more corner kicks, five to four, but their single shot from outside the box against Al-Ahli’s two suggests their attacking threat was largely confined to central areas.
Among individual performers, Anthony Moris earned the highest rating of 8.2 for Al Khaleej Saihat, making four saves and preventing the scoreline from becoming more lopsided. His performance was particularly notable given that Al-Ahli generated 1.93 expected goals, meaning Moris prevented a net 0.24 goals above expectation. Giorgos Masouras, with a 7.9 rating, was his side’s most effective outfield player, scoring the equaliser and maintaining a consistent threat. For Al-Ahli, Rayan Hamed, Matheus Gonçalves, and Firas Al-Buraikan each received 7.9, with Goncalves and Al-Buraikan both on the scoresheet. Mohammed Sulaiman Bakor also stood out with a 7.7 rating, anchoring a midfield that completed 355 passes with 87% accuracy and limited Al Khaleej’s transition chances.
The result moves Al-Ahli Jeddah to a strong away win in their final regular-season fixture, demonstrating the depth of their attacking options with four different scorers involved. Al Khaleej Saihat, despite a spirited equaliser, could not match the visitors’ quality and will reflect on a game in which they were ultimately outclassed. In the context of the Pro League’s regular season, Al-Ahli’s three points confirm their status as a side capable of punishing opponents with clinical finishing, while Al Khaleej Saihat will need to address defensive lapses if they are to improve in future campaigns. The visitors’ clean disciplinary sheet, with no yellow cards compared to Al Khaleej’s two, further underscores their discipline and control throughout the contest.
