Al Rayyan SC hosted Al-Ahli Saudi on October 21, 2024, in an AFC Champions League group-stage match. The visitors edged out a 2-1 win, keeping up their strong form in the competition and picking up important points to stay on track in the tournament. It was a close and hard-fought game, with both teams showing plenty of effort, but Al-Ahli managed to do just enough to secure the crucial points needed to solidify their spot on the table.
Al-Ahli came out strong right from the start, controlling most of the first half and constantly putting pressure on the hosts. Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Veiga were at the heart of their attacks, creating plenty of trouble for Al Rayyan’s defense. Their hard work paid off in the 16th minute when Veiga slotted a precise shot to the far post, opening the scoring. But that was apparently not enough reason to relax as they continuing to dominate, and it wasn’t long before Firas Al-Buraikan added a second goal in the 38th minute. A comfortable two-goal was enough going into the break.
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The second half told a different story, as Al Rayyan came out with more energy and purpose. Unlike their passive approach in the first 45 minutes, they showed more character, resilience and aggression, fighting harder for every ball. Their persistence eventually paid off when Fahal Al-Hamad accidentally turned the ball into his own net, giving the visitors a lifeline. That goal injected some hope into the Qatari side, but despite their best efforts to keep the momentum going and find an equalizer, they couldn’t break down Al-Ahli’s solid defense. The visitors held on, despite the host’s push for an equalizer, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
This win gives Al-Ahli a solid boost in their push for a spot in the knockout rounds, while Al Rayyan’s path just got a lot tougher. A victory would have been a huge morale boost for the Qatari side, especially after back-to-back losses, but now they will have to regroup and find a way to turn things around quickly. One thing is clear—both teams will need to step up their game as the group stage moves forward if they want to keep their tournament hopes alive.
