Al Anwar vs Al Ahli: King’s Cup Round of 32 clash in Hotat Bani Tamim
Al Anwar hosts Al Ahli in a Saudi King’s Cup Round of 32 match at the Al Anwar Club Stadium. The Pro League side travel east with Marino Pušić in charge and aims to advance past a second-division outfit, in a fixture marking the clubs’ first competitive meeting.
Key takeaways
- Al Anwar host Al Ahli in the King’s Cup Round of 32 at Al Anwar Club Stadium on 17 August 2026.
- Al Anwar are a Saudi second-division side facing a Saudi Pro League opponent managed by Marino Pušić.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 09:30 p.m. IST, with broadcast rights listed regionally for DAZN (UK), Thmanyah (ME), and Fox Sports (USA).
- Lineups feature Al Anwar in a 4-3-3 setup led by Essa Al-Mehyani; Al Ahli in a 4-1-4-1 setup with Ibañez noted in leadership and Pušić as manager.
- This match marks at least a first-ever competitive pairing between the two clubs.
What Happened
The Saudi King’s Cup Round of 32 fixture pits Al Anwar, a second-division club, against Al Ahli, a Saudi Pro League team. The match is scheduled to be played at Al Anwar Club Stadium in Hotat Bani Tamim, Saudi Arabia, with a kickoff time listed as 09:30 p.m. IST on Monday, 17 August 2026. Al Ahli enter the tie as the higher-ranked side in domestic competition and are managed by Marino Pušić. Al Anwar, coached by Sultan Khamis, are aiming to leverage home advantage in what would be their first-ever contest against Al Ahli. In league form prior to the cup tie, Al Ahli earned a 1-0 victory in their opener against Al Diriyah, with Eduard Spertsyan scoring the goal and receiving Player of the Match honors. New signing Trincao was involved in the match for Al Ahli.
Lineups reported for the clash show Al Anwar lining up in a 4-3-3 formation under head coach Essa Al-Mehyani,while Al Ahli reportedly deployed a 4-1-4-1 system under Marino Pušić. Al Anwar’s captain is identified as Khaled Shrahili on some lineups, and Al Ahli’s side is described as being led by Ibañez in the midfield/forward setup.
Why It Matters
The cup tie represents a test of strength for a second-division club against a top-flight side, potentially highlighting gaps in squad depth and quality between the leagues. For Al Ahli, success would keep their cup campaign on track and could provide momentum early in the season following their league opener. The match also marks a rare competitive meeting between the two clubs, described as their first-ever outing against each other in official competition.
Background
Al Anwar play in Saudi Arabia’s second division, while Al Ahli compete in the Saudi Pro League. The cup match is part of the King’s Cup 2026-27 and occurs as Al Ahli begin their campaign in a domestic knockout format, while Al Anwar are still stabilizing after their league schedule has yet to advance meaningfully. The venue is the Al Anwar Club Stadium in Hotat Bani Tamim, giving the host side a domestic stadium environment for the tie.
Key Facts
- Match: Al Anwar vs Al Ahli, Saudi King’s Cup Round of 32
- Date and venue: 17 August 2026, Al Anwar Club Stadium, Hotat Bani Tamim, Saudi Arabia
- Kickoff: 09:30 p.m. IST
- Al Anwar manager: Sultan Khamis
- Al Ahli manager: Marino Pušić
- Al Ahli league context: Saudi Pro League club; opened 2026-27 season with a 1-0 win over Al Diriyah
- Eduard Spertsyan was the goal scorer and Player of the Match in that league opener
- Trincao featured for Al Ahli in the league game
- Al Anwar lineup (reported): 4-3-3; captain Khaled Shrahili (on some listings)
- Al Ahli lineup (reported): 4-1-4-1; leadership attributed to Ibañez (in listings)
What Happens Next
The result of this single cup tie will determine which team progresses to the King’s Cup knockout stages. Neither the sources indicate a specific replay or immediate next fixture beyond the Round of 16 implication, but advancing would advance Al Ahli further in the competition, while Al Anwar would end their cup run at this stage if defeated. Details on broadcast arrangements suggest region-specific coverage, with regional rights noted as available via DAZN in the UK and Thmanyah in the host nation, and Fox Sports listed for the United States, though availability may vary by country.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
