Al Ahli's bid to win a third consecutive AFC Champions League Elite title has started on shaky ground, and the opening round result against Pakhtakor underlines a broader concern about the club's direction this season. A late equaliser from Firas Al-Buraikan rescued a 1-1 draw after Pakhtakor's Brazilian forward Flamarion had put the Uzbek side ahead in the 86th minute, a sequence that said plenty about where Al Ahli currently stand under coach Mario Bosic.

The result is not an isolated setback. In the Saudi Pro League, the club sits sixth with 12 points from seven games, already off the pace set by the division's early leaders. The transition from Matias Jaissle, who guided the club to back-to-back continental titles, has not been smooth, and Bosic's side have struggled for consistency in both competitions.

Off the pitch, the departure of Riyad Mahrez in the summer continues to generate debate among supporters, with the Algerian's absence seen as a significant loss of quality and experience. Questions have also surfaced around the club's transfer decisions, including the reported decision not to sign Marcelo Brozovic, a move that an Al Ahli honorary member has since publicly addressed.

Attention now turns to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, where Al Ahli face Mamelodi Sundowns on 19 September in Pretoria. It is a chance to restore confidence, though the underlying questions about the squad's depth and cohesion will not disappear with a single result.