Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Al Ahli staged a stunning second-half turnaround to defeat PFC Nasaf 4-2 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 opener on Monday night.

Defending champions Al Ahli looked in trouble after Khusain Norchaev struck twice in the first half to put the visitors 2-0 ahead.

But Matthias Jaissle’s side roared back after the break, with Enzo Millot leveling the tie before Riyad Mahrez and substitute Mohammed Sulaiman struck late to complete the comeback.

Despite dominating possession early, Al Ahli struggled to break through.

Mahrez fired a free kick high and saw a header miss the target, while Golib Gaybullaev forced Edouard Mendy into action with a thunderous long-range effort.

The breakthrough came for Nasaf in the 34th minute when Merih Demiral’s misplaced pass was punished, Murodbek Rahmatov setting up Norchaev to slot home.

Seven minutes later, Oybek Bozorov carved open the defense and released Norchaev again, the 23-year-old curling a composed finish to double the lead.

Jaissle rang the changes at half-time, introducing Matheus Goncalves and Sulaiman, and later Saleh Alshamat and Valentine Atangana.

The momentum shifted, and in the 65th minute, Nasaf goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov misjudged a clearance outside his box, gifting Millot a chance to score from distance into an empty net.

The French midfielder struck again three minutes later, reacting quickest to a rebound to make it 2-2.

With stoppage time approaching, Mahrez delivered the decisive blow, controlling a cross and cutting inside before firing low past Nematov.

Nasaf’s frustrations deepened when Alibek Davronov was sent off, and Sulaiman added a fourth in the dying seconds from Mahrez’s assist.

The comeback keeps Al Ahli on track to defend their crown, showing both depth and resilience after a shaky start.