Al-Okhdood 0-1 Al-Ahli: Toney on target as Jaissle´s team go fourth

Ivan Toney’s tap-in was enough to guide Al-Ahli to a 1-0 victory over Al-Okhdood on Saturday, lifting Matthias Jaissle’s side to fourth in the Saudi Pro League.

Toney stroked home in the 58th minute to decide a tight contest at the Prince Hathloul Bin Abdul Aziz Sport City Stadium, as Al-Ahli made it three consecutive victories.

The former Brentford talisman could not miss when he was teed up by Ziyad Al Johani’s cutback from just beyond the left post, after Merih Demiral’s header was cleared off the line to provoke a goalmouth scramble.

Al-Okhdood defended resolutely for long periods but did not manage a single shot on target, though Burak Ince should have done better with a left-footed effort from near the penalty spot at 0-0.

Al-Ahli were mostly reduced to hopeful shots from distance before Toney pounced, but the victory moves them within three points of second-placed Al-Nassr and third-placed Al-Taawoun.

Leaders Al-Hilal are still seven points clear of Al-Ahli, who have leapfrogged Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Ittihad in the standings.

Data Debrief: Toney takes his chance

Toney now has 10 goal involvements in just 12 Saudi Pro League games this season, netting nine times and registering a single assist.

No player on either team had more shots (three), shots on target (two), touches in the opposition box (six) or amassed more expected goals (1.26 xG) than the England man, whose goal alone had a huge xG value of 0.89.

Al-Ahli’s victory was deserved as they amassed 1.72 xG to the hosts’ 0.87 xG, also attempting more than twice as many shots as their opponents (12 to five).