Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessie scored as Al Ahli recorded a 2-0 win over Al Tai to continue their 100% start to the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season.
The Algerian and Ivorian were summer signings from Manchester City and Barcelona respectively and have instantly hit the ground running for the Royals.
Al Tai were no trouble for Al Ahli and Mahrez gave his side the lead in the 39th minute with a well-struck finish off a Allan Saint-Maximin assist. It was the 32-year old’s fourth goal involvement in four league games (two goals, two assists).
Kessie then doubled the lead just before the hour mark with a fierce shot just outside the penalty area, making it back-to-back goals after scoring his first goal for the club in the previous game against Al Akhdoud. Al Tai were reduced to 10 men earlier in the first half after Guinea-Bissau midfielder Alfa Semedo received his marching orders.
FULL TIME
Al-Ahli 2️⃣ : 0️⃣ Al-Tai #AHLIFC ⚽️#الأهلي_الطائي #RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/HEBTxyCrAV— Al-Ahli Saudi Club (@ALAHLI_FCEN) August 29, 2023
Al Hilal are tied at the top of the Pro League with a maximum 12 points after four games but are in second place behind defending champions Al-Ittihad who have a superior goal difference.
In other Pro League results on Tuesday, usual suspects Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo were at it again as they found the back of the net in Al Nassr’s 4-0 win over Al Shabab. The Portuguese maestro netted a brace, both from the penalty spot while he assisted Mane for the Senegalese’s fourth goal since joining from Bayern Munich this summer. Abdulrahman Ghareeb missed a penalty for Al Nassr while Argentine midfielder Ever Banega was given a straight red card in the 78th minute, reducing Al Shabab to 10 men.
⌛️ || Full time, ????????@AlNassrFC 4:0 #Alshabab#AlNassrAlshabab
Ronaldo ⚽️⚽️
Mané ⚽️
Sultan ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sa6YvYquoA— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 29, 2023
Gambia forward Assan Ceesay was also on target with a brace in Damac FC’s 2-2 draw with Al Fateh, his first goal and opener coming from the penalty spot.
