Al-Ahly defeats Al-Salmiya 2-0
With two goals in the Al-Salmiya net, Al-Nasr started the season perfectly in the first round of the Zain League Premier Division, which brought the two teams together this evening at Thamer Stadium at Al-Salmiya Club, allowing the “Canaries” to secure all three points, while the “Sky Blues” left their home ground empty-handed.
Al-Salmiya’s coach, Bahraini Ali Ashour, relied on the wide runs of Mubarak Al-Fannani and Naif Zaid to threaten Al-Nasr goalkeeper Khaled Al-Ajaji. The first threat to Al-Nasr’s goal came from a cross by Naif Zaid, which Muath Al-Asim headed just over the crossbar (22’). This was followed by a genuine scoring opportunity squandered by Al-Fannani (24’). The “Canaries” responded with a powerful shot from Hashem Najib, which goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Fadli brilliantly parried into a corner (35’). The first half ended goalless, despite Al-Salmiya’s relative dominance.
Al-Salmiya started the second half with greater desire to take the lead and came close to opening the scoring, but Fawaz Ayed cleared a short pass from Naif Zaid’s substitute, Frenchman David Sambyssa, away from Al-Nasr goalkeeper Khaled Al-Ajaji (50’). From a swift counterattack, Algerian striker Ayman Lkcag punished Al-Salmiya for missing easy chances by scoring the opening goal for Al-Nasr (54’). National coach Zahir Al-Adwani did not hesitate to make two simultaneous substitutions to inject energy into the team and maintain their lead.
Coach Ali Ashour sought to salvage the situation through several changes, bringing on Mohammed Al-Huwaidi and Mahmoud Al-Aswad for Shahzoud and Mubarak Al-Fannani. His side dominated the second half, particularly on the right flank, which was occupied by substitute Sambyssa, but their movements were met with resolute defending led by the outstanding Malian center-back Moriba Diarra. Al-Nasr relied mostly on quick counterattacks during the second half. From a set-piece taken by Eid Al-Raqba, the ball fell from the hands of goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, and defender Nasser Khader slotted it into Al-Salmiya’s net (79’), deepening Al-Salmiya’s troubles and ending their hopes of equalizing. International referee Ammar Ashkani then awarded Al-Salmiya a penalty, which Bahraini striker Abdullah Yusuf converted to the right of goalkeeper Al-Ajaji (90+2’), reducing the deficit to one goal. However, this was not enough for them to secure a point at home, as the “Canaries” claimed a vital victory in the opening round of the league.
International referee Ammar Ashkani managed the match well, booking Al-Salmiya’s Abdullah Al-Jassaf and Ahmed Khorshid, as well as Al-Nasr’s Hashem Najib.
