Al Ahli came from behind to beat Al Gharafa 2-1 and secure their second successive victory in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.
The Saudi side made the stronger start and took the lead after only four minutes. Eduardo Spersyan’s pass sent Ivan Toney through on goal, and the England striker lifted a composed finish over goalkeeper Ahmed Kone.
Al Gharafa threatened in response when Adam Ounas shot from a difficult angle in the 17th minute, but his effort went wide. Play was stopped two minutes later after Al Ahli defender Mohamed Suleiman suffered an injury, with the match resuming in the 20th minute.
Hassan Alaa El-Din then tried his luck from more than 35 yards, although his effort drifted wide of the right post.
Toney was booked in the 29th minute before the game paused for a drinks break two minutes later. Al Gharafa continued to search for an equaliser, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi saved Florinel Coman’s effort from outside the penalty area in the 38th minute.
Hassan Alaa El-Din was unable to continue after sustaining an injury and was replaced by Yassine Brahimi in the 43rd minute.
Al Gharafa level before Sano dismissal
Al Ahli came close to extending their lead during first-half stoppage time. Spersyan sent a shot over the crossbar in the 45th minute, while Al Gharafa’s defence blocked Toney’s attempt five minutes later.
Trincao then struck the right post with a left-footed effort from inside the area after receiving the ball from Toney. Ziyad Al-Jehani also shot wide in the sixth minute of added time, leaving Al Ahli 1-0 ahead at the interval.
Al Gharafa introduced Ayoub Al-Awi for Rayan Ahmed Al Ali at half-time and began the second period on the front foot. Coman saw an effort blocked in the 47th minute, while Ferjani Sassi headed wide from a corner.
Brahimi shot wide from outside the area in the 49th minute and Ounas missed another opportunity three minutes later, sending his effort wide to the left after being set up by Coman.
The pressure finally told in the 53rd minute. Coman collected a pass from Saif Al-Din Fadlallah before firing into the net to bring the Qatari side level.
Al Gharafa’s task became more difficult in the 77th minute when Sano received a second yellow card for a foul and was sent off. The dismissal came shortly after play had been halted because of his injury.
Dame Traore replaced Ounas in the 79th minute, while Firas Al-Braikan headed wide from a Goncalves cross following a free-kick. Another drinks break followed in the 80th minute.
Al Ahli pressed late on and regained the lead when Matheus Goncalves struck from outside the box, sending the ball into the net to complete the comeback.
The result moved Al Ahli temporarily into second place with seven points after three matches. Al Gharafa suffered their third defeat and remain 18th without a point.
