AFC Champions League Elite
Saeid Ezatolahi’s first half header earned Paulo Sousa’s side the three points, having drawn 1-1 with Tractor FC in their opening match while Al Ittihad suffered their second consecutive defeat, having gone down 2-1 to Al Wahda FC two weeks ago.
The game got off to a high-tempo start with Shabab Al Ahli seizing the early initiative but long-range efforts from Federico Cartabia and Guilherme Bala failed to trouble Al Ittihad keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Al Ittihad gradually grew into the contest and almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when N'Golo Kante released Moussa Diaby with a clever through ball, but the Frenchman dragged his grounded effort just wide of the right post.
Al Ittihad gradually grew into the contest and almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when N'Golo Kante released Moussa Diaby with a clever through ball, but the Frenchman dragged his grounded effort just wide of the right post.
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Rajkovic was called into action in the 25th minute when he saved to keep out Yuri Cesar’s looping free-kick, while Karim Benzema had a chance to put Al Ittihad ahead moments later but the former Real Madrid forward sent his free-kick over the bar.
The visitors continued to press and came close in the 37th minute when Bala weaved his way inside the box and cut the ball for Sultan Adil, whose effort forced Rajkovic into a fine low save.
The visitors continued to press and came close in the 37th minute when Bala weaved his way inside the box and cut the ball for Sultan Adil, whose effort forced Rajkovic into a fine low save.
However, there was no denying Shabab Al Ahli as they took the lead in the 40th minute after Ezatolahi rose highest to nod home Cartabia’s corner.
Shabab Al Ahli maintained their aggression in the second half with Bala forcing another fine save from Rajkovic after striking a powerful drive from just above the box, before testing the Serb custodian again with a dipping effort which sailed over the bar.
Shabab Al Ahli maintained their aggression in the second half with Bala forcing another fine save from Rajkovic after striking a powerful drive from just above the box, before testing the Serb custodian again with a dipping effort which sailed over the bar.
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Al Ittihad responded with Steven Bergwijn hitting the side netting just before they thought they had equalised on the hour mark when substitute Roger Fernandes turned in Fabinho’s cross with a fine volley, only for the goal to be ruled offside.
Both sides had great chances in the closing embers of the match with Shabab Al Ahli custodian Hamad Al Meqbaali lucky to escape after mishandling substitute Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s effort from the right, which hit the post before going out of play while at the other hand, Rajkovic produced a strong hand to deny Yahya Al Ghassani.
Shabab Al Ahli will next host PFC Nasaf on October 21 while Al Ittihad will aim to turn their fortunes around when they travel to face Iraq's Al Shorta.
Both sides had great chances in the closing embers of the match with Shabab Al Ahli custodian Hamad Al Meqbaali lucky to escape after mishandling substitute Ahmed Al Ghamdi’s effort from the right, which hit the post before going out of play while at the other hand, Rajkovic produced a strong hand to deny Yahya Al Ghassani.
Shabab Al Ahli will next host PFC Nasaf on October 21 while Al Ittihad will aim to turn their fortunes around when they travel to face Iraq's Al Shorta.
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