Shabab Al Ahli Triumphs 1-0 Over Al Ittihad in AFC Clash

Shabab Al Ahli claimed their first victory in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 with a narrow 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

The match-winning moment came in the first half when midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi rose above the defense to head the ball into the net, giving Paulo Sousa’s side an early advantage. Shabab Al Ahli had drawn 1-1 with Tractor FC in their opening fixture, making this win crucial to their campaign. Al Ittihad, meanwhile, suffered their second straight defeat after losing 2-1 to Al Wahda FC two weeks earlier.

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The game remained competitive throughout, with both sides creating late chances. Shabab Al Ahli’s goalkeeper, Hamad Al Meqbaali, narrowly avoided disaster when a misjudged save from substitute Ahmed Al Ghamdi struck the post. On the opposite end, Rajkovic made a decisive stop to deny Yahya Al Ghassani, keeping the visitors at bay.

Shabab Al Ahli will host PFC Nasaf on October 21, aiming to build on their positive momentum. Al Ittihad will hope to regroup as they travel to face Iraq’s Al Shorta in their next fixture.

The win not only boosts Shabab Al Ahli’s confidence but also sets the tone for a challenging group stage, where every point will be critical.