Saudi Gazette report

DUBAI — Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC continued their strong start in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 with a 2-0 victory over Al Wasl Club of the United Arab Emirates on Monday.

First-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Roger Ibanez sealed the win, giving Al Ahli six points from their first two matches, while Al Wasl remains on three points.

Al Wasl started brightly, with Nicolas Gimenez coming close to scoring in the opening minutes, twisting past his defender and curling a low shot just wide of the post.

Al Ahli responded swiftly, taking the lead in the third minute. A long ball from Roger Ibanez was expertly controlled by Mahrez, who calmly slotted the ball past Khaled Al Senani to make it 1-0.

Al Wasl nearly equalized in the 20th minute, but Ivan Toney made a crucial clearance off the line, heading away Fabio Lima’s inswinging corner that was destined for the net.

Al Ahli doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Mahrez’s corner was met by Ibanez, who headed home with Al Senani caught out of position.

Despite trailing, Al Wasl's coach Milos Milojevic opted against changes at halftime, while Al Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle was forced to replace the injured Ziyad Al Johani with Ali Al Asmari.

Al Wasl pressed for a goal in the second half, with Haris Seferovic heading Gimenez’s cross on target in the 57th minute, but his effort lacked power to trouble Al Ahli keeper Abdulrahman Al Sanbi. Gimenez and Soufiane Bouftini also had chances, but neither could find the back of the net.

Al Ahli stood firm, securing their second consecutive win after defeating Persepolis FC in their opening match. They will look to make it three in a row when they face Al Rayyan SC of Qatar on October 21, while Al Wasl will take on Qatar's Al Gharafa.