Al-Ahly suffered a controversial defeat against Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Roshn League on Tuesday, with refereeing analyst Saad Al-Kathiri arguing the team should have been awarded a penalty kick in the first half. The Egyptian giants travelled to the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam for the sixth round of the competition, where they ultimately conceded three goals before halftime.
The critical moment came in the 17th minute when Brazilian winger Wenderson Galeno was challenged inside the penalty area by Al-Qadsiah defender Jihad Zikri. Al-Ahly's players immediately appealed for a spot-kick, but the referee waved away the claim without further investigation. Writing for Saudi newspaper Al-Jazirah, Al-Kathiri reviewed the incident and sided firmly with the visiting team's protest. He stated: "A penalty for the Al-Ahli striker in the 18th minute was not awarded by the referee, and the video referee should have intervened."
Defensive Breakdown After Missed Call
Al-Kathiri's analysis emphasized that Zikri had made contact with Galeno without touching the ball, a clear violation under Saudi Roshn League rules. "The Al-Qadsiah defender impeded the striker inside the penalty area, and did not succeed in playing the ball," the expert explained. The incident proved pivotal—within minutes of the missed penalty, Al-Ahly's defensive shape unraveled. The team conceded three goals before the interval, transforming what could have been a narrow one-goal deficit into an insurmountable three-goal deficit by halftime.
This refereeing controversy highlights the ongoing challenges with VAR implementation in Middle Eastern football. Al-Ahly, one of Africa's most decorated clubs, continue their Saudi Roshn League campaign with renewed focus on consistency and, perhaps, more protective officiating in future matches.
