Al-Ahli don return to action after long lay-off, and the recent international break leave dem without many of their key stars.
The Jeddah side travel to face Al-Fateh today, Friday, at the Meydan First Finance Stadium in Al-Ahsa, for the eighth round of the Saudi Roshn League.
Dutch head coach Marino Pusic decide to rest the Saudi national team stars who help am lift the Arabian Gulf Cup for its 27th edition, “Gulf 27“, after dem beat UAE 2-0 for last Tuesday final.
Saleh Abu Al-Shamat and Firas Al-Buraikan both start on bench.
Left-back Zakaria Housawi miss out through injury.
Injuries also rule out Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Brazilian defender Roger Ibanez for “Al-Raqi”.
Al-Fateh enter the match with fresh motivation under new Moroccan head coach Jamal Sellami, who takes over from Khalid Al-Atwi following his sacking yesterday, Thursday.
Sixth in the table, “Al-Raqi” have 12 points from 4 wins and 3 defeats, a full 6 points adrift of leaders Al-Hilal.
Al-Fateh sit 15th on just 3 points, picking up 3 draws and losing 4, still searching for their first win of the campaign.
Al-Ahli line-up na this: Goalkeeper: Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi. Defence: Saeed Baatiyah – Merih Demiral – Mohammed Suleiman Bakr – Saad Balobaid. Midfield: Ziyad Al-Johani – Valentin Atangana – Matheus Goncalves. Attack: Francisco Trincao – Ivan Toney – Wenderson Galeno.
Togo international Kennedy Boateng don set sight on Al Fateh, claiming an important win over Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Fateh will host sixth-placed Al Ahli on Friday, October 9 at 14:00 pm GMT.
Boateng, who don make five starts out of seven league games this campaign, hail the fans’ impact and call for their support in matchday eight.
“Hello fans, we want to say thank you very much for all the support you’ve given us throughout the seasons,” he tell the club’s media outlet.
“And is the game against Al Ahli, and we want your support, and Insha Allah we are going to win.”
Boateng, 29, sign a bumper two-year deal with Al Fateh in August after departing Romanian club FC Dinamo.
The lanky central defender, who is capped sixteen times by Togo, start his career in Ghana with West Africa Football Academy before joining Austrian club LASK LINZ with a further loan spell at SV Ried.
He agree a permanent transfer to SV Ried in 2019, spending two seasons at the club and subsequently signing for Portuguese club Santa Clara.
After two seasons in Portugal, Boateng return to Austria, signing with Austria Lustenau for one season as a free agent before FC Dinamo bring am to Romania for the last two seasons.
He get a total of six appearances across the Saudi Pro League and the King’s Cup this season.
