Video: Al-Ahli begin their Roshn League journey with a hard-fought win over Al-Diriyah

Both teams flew out of the blocks. Al-Ahly pressed for an early goal but couldn't find one, with Al-Diriyah digging in and refusing to yield.

Growing into the game, Al-Diriyah took control of possession and looked the more cohesive side. Al-Ahly, meanwhile, hunted their chances on the counter.

Al-Diriyah had dominated almost from start to finish, but it was Sperstian who broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, latching onto a magical pass from Brazilian Wenderson Galeno.

It came on the counter. Al-Ahli's stars pounced on a defensive error from Qasim Lajami and exploited the space in behind.

In the third minute of stoppage time, the left post denied a well-taken shot from one of Al-Diriyah's players.

Al-Diriyah came close to levelling, but couldn't find the finish as Al-Ahli's defence creaked.

The side came flying out for the second half. Demiral nearly grabbed a second, his header flashing just wide of the post in the 51st minute.

Oscar almost levelled for Al-Diriyah with a superb direct free kick, but Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi saved it in the 58th minute.

Trincao broke clear on Al-Diriyah's goal in the 80th minute and let fly, only for the goalkeeper to clear it with real skill.

Firas Al-Buraikan then slipped a brilliant pass to Ivan Toney inside the box in the 86th minute. Toney squandered it in the most peculiar fashion.