Al Duhail First Football Team suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Saudi Side Al Ahly Jeddah in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite. The match headed into extra time after the original 90 minutes ended in a goalless draw.
Led by head coach Djamel Belmadi, Al Duhail started the match with the following lineup:
(1) Salah Zakaria [GK], (3) Lucas Silva, (8) Edmilson Junior, (9) Krzysztof Piątek, (17) Youssouf Sabaly, (18) Sultan Al Brake, (19) Benjamin Bourigeaud, (21) Jean-Charles Castelletto, (22) Ibrahima Bamba, (34) Boubakary Soumaré, (77) Adil Boulbina.
Key Match Highlights
- 24th Minute: The “Red Knights” saw their first dangerous opportunity when team captain Benjamin Bourigeaud executed a free kick from the right side of the penalty area. His strike rattled the left post, keeping the score level.
- 29th Minute: Adil Boulbina made a surging run and sent a cross into the box. After the defense cleared it, Bourigeaud fired a powerful shot that was once again deflected by Al Ahly defenders for a corner.
- 37th Minute: Following a sequence of brilliant passing, Edmilson nearly opened the scoring, but Al Ahly goalkeeper pulled off a save to deny Al Duhail the lead.
- 64th Minute: Bourigeaud threatened again with a long-range effort from outside the box, which the goalkeeper skillfully parried away.
- 75th Minute: Krzysztof Piątek had two consecutive chances to find the back of the net, but the keeper remained solid, saving both attempts.
- 85th Minute: Adil Boulbina broke away on a fast transition, but his shot flew over the crossbar.
- 90+1 Minute: In the first minute of stoppage time, the crossbar denied Boulbina a late winner, forcing the match into extra time.
Extra Time Drama
- End of First Extra Period: In the final minute of the first half of extra time, Al Ahly was awarded a penalty kick. However, goalkeeper Salah Zakaria made a brilliant save to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.
- 110th Minute: Boulbina had another chance to put Al Duhail ahead, but his shot missed the target.
- 117th Minute: Riyad Mahrez managed to score the opening goal for Al Ahly.
The remaining minutes passed without further goals, and the match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Al Ahly.
