Borjan own goal sends visitors top of Pro League

Milan Borjan’s own goal was sufficient to present Al-Ahli a 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh, sending them top of the Saudi Pro League.

Ibanez, Galeno and Ivan Toney all had targets dominated out as Al-Ahli tried so as to add to their scoreline, however they bought a stroke of luck at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to clinch all three factors.

Galeno noticed a free-kick parried by Borjan halfway by way of the primary half earlier than Teddy Okou fired huge whereas beneath strain one-on-one with Edouard Mendy shortly after on the different finish.

Al-Ahli put the strain again on heading into the break, although, with Ziyad Al Johani’s tight-angled header needing to be pushed away by Borjan, whereas Ibanez had a goal from the same place dominated out for offside following a VAR evaluate.

After the break, Al Johani had a volley on the half-turn cleared off the road earlier than Borjan acrobatically stored out Toney’s first-time effort moments later.

Galeno then noticed a header parried by Borjan, and though he slotted in on the follow-up, he was denied by the offside flag.

But within the seventy fifth minute, Borjan inadvertently punched the ball into his own web whereas beneath strain on a Galeno nook, gifting Al-Ahli the opening that they had been looking for.

Toney picked out the bottom-left nook following a lightning-quick counter, however as soon as once more, Al-Ahli had been denied because the goal was denied after a VAR evaluate.

Data Debrief: Al-Ahli’s dominance pays off

Al-Ahli had 15 pictures in Riyadh, with six of these heading in the right direction, whereas creating 1.51 anticipated targets (xG), but it surely was not one of their own that hit the again of the web, not that they are going to care.

Al-Riyadh, against this, had 13 pictures value 1.23 xG, though none of them hit the goal in a disappointing show.

Al-Ahli have now stored 14 clear sheets within the Saudi Pro League this season, greater than they managed final season.