A first league win in three attempts has given Al Ahli some breathing room, but it has done little to silence the growing debate over the club's direction this season. The 3-1 victory over Al Hazem on Friday moved the Jeddah side to fifth in the Saudi Pro League with 12 points from seven games, yet the performance was far from convincing enough to end scrutiny of Dutch coach Marino Busicic, who continues to face calls for his dismissal from sections of the fanbase.

The backdrop to this win matters. Al Ahli had lost to Al Qadsiah 3-2 in matchday six, a result that left them seventh and sparked heated debate on Saudi sports programmes about whether Busicic should remain in charge. Comparisons to the departure of his predecessor Matthias Jaissle surfaced repeatedly, with analysts warning that a similar scenario could unfold if results did not improve.

On the positive side, striker Ivan Toni continues to carry the team's attacking threat. He has scored 10 goals in the league this season, a remarkable individual return that gives the club a reliable focal point even when collective performances disappoint. His brace against Al Hazem was central to the comeback after the hosts fell behind early.

Attention now turns to the AFC Champions League Elite, where Al Ahli host Pakhtakor Tashkent on 14 September. How Busicic manages the squad across both competitions will be closely watched by supporters still unconvinced by his methods.