Al-Ahli Face Al-Fateh Without Key Players in Saudi Pro League Clash
Listen to the story
Al-Ahli faced Al-Fateh in a Saudi Pro League match, but several key players were missing from the squad.
Defenders Mendy and Ibanez did not take part in the game. The players who helped Al-Ahli win the Gulf 27 tournament were also unavailable.
This was significant because it marked the first matches under new head coach Al-Salami, who has recently taken charge of the team.
Forward Kennedy Boateng said he was motivated and ready to perform well in the match against Al-Fateh.
The game was broadcast live, allowing fans to follow it either through a TV channel or an online live stream.
Al-Ahli's performance without some of its strongest players was watched closely, since it offered an early look at how the new coach would manage the team.
Fans and pundits were particularly interested to see whether the squad could maintain good form despite the absences.
The match formed part of the ongoing Saudi Pro League season, in which Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh are both competing for strong league positions.
Vocabulary7 words
- Saudi Pro League
- the top football competition in Saudi Arabia
- tournament
- a sports event with several matches
- head coach
- the main person who leads a sports team
- TV channel
- a station where you can watch programs
- live stream
- watching an event online as it happens
- pundits
- people who give opinions about sports on TV or online
- absences
- times when someone is not present
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. Saudi Pro League 2. Mendy and Ibanez 3. True
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Al-Ahli faced Al-Fateh in a Saudi Pro League match, but several key _____ were missing from the squad.
Defenders Mendy and Ibanez did not take part in the _____.
The players who helped Al-Ahli win the Gulf 27 _____ were also unavailable.
This was significant because it marked the first matches under new head _____ Al-Salami.
Forward Kennedy Boateng said he was _____ and ready to perform well.
The game was broadcast live, allowing fans to follow it through a TV channel or an online _____.
Al-Ahli's performance without some of its strongest players was watched _____.
Fans and pundits were particularly interested to see whether the squad could maintain good form despite the _____.
The match formed part of the ongoing Saudi Pro League _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might missing key players affect a football team's performance?
- How important is a new coach's first match for a team's confidence?
- Do you think live streaming has changed how people watch sports? Why or why not?
- What qualities make a good football coach, in your opinion?
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
