Al Wahda maintained its fourth position in the AFC Elite League of Champions after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Al Ahli on Monday in the seventh round of the league stage. The match was held at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with 'Al Ansari' raising its points tally to 14, the same as its rival. The first half was highly competitive with clear chances exchanged. Al Ahli had a relative advantage in possession and creating danger, while Al Wahda responded with organized attacks and relied on quick transitions. The first signs of danger came from Al Ahli Jeddah when Riyad Mahrez played a precise cross into the penalty area, reaching Ivorian Franck Kessie, who played it dangerously past the goal (8). Al Wahda responded in the 17th minute with a strong attempt when Dusan Tadic struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but it went over the bar. In the 22nd minute, Al Ahli continued to threaten through Riyad Mahrez, who unleashed a strong shot from outside the box, but Al Wahda's goalkeeper Zayed Al Hammadi shone and brilliantly saved the ball, maintaining his team's balance in one of the most dangerous chances of the half. In the 31st minute, Al Ahli came close to scoring again after a shot from Ivan Tony went wide of the post, leading to a corner. Meanwhile, Brahim Diarra put in a standout individual effort, dribbling past several players before striking a powerful shot, which Al Ahli's goalkeeper Edward Mendy dealt with calmly in the 33rd minute. The second half saw a decline in performance from both teams, as errors and incorrect passes became more frequent. The players in both teams failed to create any danger on the goal in the first 25 minutes of the half. In response, Al Ahli almost scored the first goal from a counter-attack that reached Ivan Tony, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and shot the ball, but goalkeeper Zayed Al Hammadi shone and saved the ball (83). Al Wahda maintained its composure in the final minutes after the opponent pressed to win the game, but the goalkeeper and defense excelled at repelling all attacks, ending the match in a draw.
