Roberto Firminho Brace Helps Third-Place Al Ahli Secure A 4-1 Away Win Against Al Tai
On Saturday, it was the Roberto Firminho show at the Prince Abdulaziz Bin Musaid Sport City Stadium as the Brazilian forward scored a brace to ensure Al Ahli bounced back in style after losing 3-2 to Al Okhdood last week.
An aggressive start from the visitors saw some near misses with the hosts barely surviving scare after scare. Finally, Al Tai turned the tide through a Bernard Mensah goal in the 43rd minute that was the result of individual brilliance. Al Ahli swiftly responded through a Firminho goal assisted by Riyad Mahrez in the first half’s added time.
The second half began quietly until the 60th minute when Firminho scored his second through a header. From there, it was the Al Ahli show with the visitors firmly in control. Their efforts bore fruits with a well-taken Riyad Mahrez goal in the 82nd minute and an 88th header from recently crowned AFCON winner, Frank Kessie. Al Ahli are now five points clear of Al Taawoun in the race for the last AFC Champions League slot.
