Arabian Weekly report
JEDDAH — Al Ahli overturned a 3–1 deficit to draw 3–3 before sealing a dramatic 5–4 victory on penalties against Al Qadsiah in a pulsating King’s Cup quarterfinal at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
Al Qadsiah struck first through Italian forward Mateo Retegui in the 11th minute, before Colombian striker Julian Quiñones doubled the lead on 30 minutes following a well-weighted pass from Portugal’s Otávio.
Al Ahli responded six minutes later, with English striker Ivan Toney converting from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit.
The visitors, however, restored their two-goal cushion before the break, as Retegui netted his second of the night from another penalty.
Al Ahli mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. French midfielder Valentin Atangana scored in the 61st minute to make it 3–2, before Ivorian star Franck Kessié struck the equaliser in the 73rd minute to ignite the home crowd.
With neither side able to find a winner through extra time, the match went to penalties.
Al Qadsiah substitute Abdullah Al Salem missed the only attempt for his side, while all Al Ahli penalty-takers converted, sending the Jeddah giants into the semifinals after a heroic turnaround.