Al-Buraikan Ends Scoring Drought as Al-Ahli Edge Al-Feiha in Five-Goal Thriller
Firas Al-Buraikan returned to the scoresheet at a crucial moment, helping Al-Ahli secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Al-Feiha in the tenth round of the Saudi Roshn League. The forward converted a second-half penalty at Al-Majma’ah Stadium on Monday, ending a wait for his first league goal of the 2026-27 season.
Al-Ahli’s win was far from straightforward. Al-Feiha responded after falling behind, but substitute Artem Bondarenko ultimately made the difference, scoring twice to claim all three points for the visitors. The result offered plenty for Saudi football fans to discuss, from Al-Buraikan’s return to form to the impact of Al-Ahli’s attacking depth.
A timely goal for Al-Buraikan
Al-Buraikan had made eight previous league appearances without scoring before Monday’s match. His ninth outing—and only his third start—provided the breakthrough. He stepped up to take a penalty in the 59th minute and converted, giving Al-Ahli a valuable lead and ending his early-season scoring drought.
The goal carried added significance because Al-Buraikan was asked to lead the attack in place of Ivan Toney. The England international, who had scored 11 league goals and sat at the top of the competition’s scoring chart, was unavailable because of a pelvic joint injury. His absence created an opportunity for Al-Buraikan to take on greater responsibility in a demanding away fixture.
Rather than simply filling a place in the starting lineup, the Saudi striker delivered a decisive contribution. Penalties can bring pressure, particularly in a close match where momentum is still shifting, and Al-Buraikan’s composed finish gave Al-Ahli a platform to build on. For the player, it was also a welcome sign that he can influence the team’s results when called upon.
Al-Feiha fight back, but Bondarenko takes control
Al-Buraikan’s penalty did not settle the contest. Al-Feiha found a response and levelled the score, keeping the home side firmly in the match and setting up a tense finish. The equaliser threatened to undo Al-Ahli’s progress, but the visitors had another attacking solution waiting on the bench.
Bondarenko entered the game in place of Ziyad Al-Johani and went on to score twice. The Ukrainian midfielder’s brace proved decisive, turning a difficult away match into a memorable Al-Ahli victory. His performance underlined the value of effective substitutions: fresh legs and a change in attacking profile can shift a game when the starting plan is no longer enough.
Al-Ahli’s 3-2 win reflected the unpredictable nature of football. The side took the lead, conceded an equaliser and still found the quality to finish strongly. For Al-Feiha, the late defeat will be frustrating after the team worked its way back into the contest, but its response showed it could challenge a title contender rather than merely defend deep.
What the result means for Al-Ahli
Three points from a high-scoring away match can matter beyond the league table. Al-Ahli showed that its attack is not dependent on one player, even with Toney sidelined. Al-Buraikan’s goal and Bondarenko’s two finishes offered different kinds of contribution: one provided a confident breakthrough, while the other supplied the late match-winning impact.
Toney’s injury will remain an important factor in Al-Ahli’s upcoming fixtures. The club will want its leading scorer back as soon as possible, but the performance against Al-Feiha gives the coaching staff useful options in the meantime. Al-Buraikan can offer a more direct presence through the middle, while Bondarenko’s ability to influence a match from the bench adds flexibility.
For Al-Buraikan, the next challenge is to build on his first goal rather than treat it as an isolated moment. A return to scoring form could strengthen his case for further starts, especially while Toney is recovering. Regular minutes would also help him develop a rhythm, something that can be difficult to find when a player has made only three starts across nine appearances.
Saudi Roshn League prediction: what to watch next
Any prediction for Al-Ahli’s next match will depend partly on Toney’s fitness and partly on whether the team can carry this attacking momentum forward. If the leading scorer remains unavailable, Al-Buraikan is likely to attract attention after his penalty, while Bondarenko’s match-winning display may also earn him a larger role. Al-Ahli’s capacity to create goals through several players could prove especially important against opponents who focus their defensive plan on stopping one main striker.
Al-Feiha, meanwhile, will need to turn its competitive response into a more complete performance. Scoring after going behind was a positive, but conceding again allowed Al-Ahli to leave with the victory. The team’s next test will be to maintain its attacking threat while managing transitions and limiting the space available to opponents late in games.
The match also offered a reminder that league campaigns are shaped by more than headline scorers. A penalty converted by a striker returning to form, followed by a substitute’s brace, decided a contest that could easily have swung the other way. That unpredictability is part of the appeal of the Saudi Pro League, where squad depth and in-game decisions can be just as important as individual star power.
Al-Ahli’s next fixtures
Al-Ahli are scheduled to face Al-Fateh on 22 October 2026, with kick-off listed for 21:40. Al-Fateh’s next listed fixture is against Al-Hilal on 23 October at 02:00. These upcoming matches will provide another measure of how both sides respond to their latest results and, for Al-Ahli, whether Al-Buraikan and Bondarenko can continue to contribute while the club monitors Toney’s recovery.
For now, Al-Ahli can take confidence from a hard-earned 3-2 win. Al-Buraikan ended his wait for a league goal, Bondarenko delivered a decisive double, and the team showed enough resilience to recover after Al-Feiha’s equaliser. It was a result built on timely contributions—and one that could give Al-Ahli valuable momentum in the weeks ahead.
