Holstein Kiel vs Al-Ahli Jeddah

Al-Ahli started aggressively, pressing high and matching the German second-tier side physically. Ricardo Mathias put the Saudis ahead in the 22nd minute, slotting home after a rebound fell kindly in the box.

Holstein needed until the closing stages of the first half to find their rhythm. Kasper Davidsen equalised in the 42nd minute, finished coolly after being played through in the box. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Giorgi Kvilitaia turned the game — he held the ball up under pressure in the area and fired into the far corner from a tight angle (45+4).

Walter made six changes at half-time, and the fresh legs paid off quickly. Left-back Niklas Niehoff crossed for Phil Harres, who headed into the left corner in the 50th minute. The fourth goal arrived from a set piece: Johan Therkelsen's corner was met by centre-back David Zec, who powered a header home (61st).

Holstein could have added a fifth when U19 player Till Wiese saw his shot blocked on the line in the closing stages.

Al-Ahli's high press troubled Holstein for the first 15 minutes, and the opening goal came from a counter that exploited the space left behind. But once Davidsen levelled just before half-time, the momentum flipped entirely. The equaliser arrived at a psychologically damaging moment for the Saudis, and Kvilitaia's strike two minutes into added time meant Holstein went in ahead without having played their best football. Walter's half-time changes — introducing Harres, Niehoff and fresh legs across the pitch — ensured the second half was one-way traffic.

Kasper Davidsen — The Dane provided the spark with his composed 42nd-minute equaliser, settled the side and drove forward from midfield.

Giorgi Kvilitaia — The Georgian striker's close-control finish from a tight angle just before the break was the moment of the match. He held off his marker, shifted the ball and found the far corner with precision.

David Zec — The Croatian centre-back scored the fourth with a commanding header and marshalled the defence after the early wobble. He was substituted in the 67th minute as a precaution.

Phil Harres — Introduced at half-time, the forward scored within five minutes of coming on with a well-placed header.

Holstein's four goals came from open play (Davidsen, Kvilitaia, Harres) and a set piece (Zec from a corner), showing variety in the attack. The first-half stats would have been relatively even — Al-Ahli created the better early chances and scored — but the second period was dominated by Walter's side, who made 11 substitutions overall. The 4-1 scoreline flattered neither side: Holstein's superior fitness and organisation told after the break as the Saudi side faded.

Holstein Kiel's second win in three pre-season friendlies (W2 L1 since early July) keeps momentum building in their Austrian training camp in Maria Alm. Walter's squad are preparing for the 2026-27 2. Bundesliga season. The exact next friendly fixture is yet to be confirmed. Al-Ahli Jeddah, who compete in the Saudi Pro League, continue their own pre-season programme.

A professional, controlled performance from Holstein after an early scare. The response to going behind — equalising before half-time, then pulling clear after the break — was exactly what Walter would have wanted from a training-camp friendly. The caveat: Al-Ahli are in an earlier stage of their own pre-season and the physical gap showed in the second half. Still, four different scorers and a clean second-half sheet are encouraging signs for the Störche.

"I'm really very satisfied," Walter said after the match. "The boys always recognised what they needed to do and when. It gives me great pleasure to watch them." (Quotes via Holstein Kiel official website)