Ahly Youth Lose Two Strikers in Four Days: Sardor Injured, Reza Departs

Al Ahli Youth FC faces a serious attacking crisis after losing both Iranian strikers within just four days. Reza Ghandipour was loaned out to Al Wahda, while star striker Sardar Azmoun suffered a severe ankle injury requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery period.

The UAE club's problems started when they sent 19-year-old Ghandipour on loan to Al Wahda until the end of the season. This happened on the final day of the summer transfer window, just months after signing the promising young forward from Iranian club Paykan in July.

But the real blow came days later. Azmoun, the team's main attacking threat, injured his left ankle during training on September 4th. Medical tests revealed a tear that needs surgical intervention, sidelining him for an extended period.

The timing couldn't be worse for Azmoun. He had just returned from a previous injury and scored his first goal of the season - a dramatic 95th-minute winner against Al Nassr. Now he's back on the treatment table.

Al Ahli Youth's attacking struggles show clearly in their statistics. The team has managed just four goals in five ADNOC Pro League matches this season. None of their strikers have stepped up to fill the void, and the lack of firepower has hurt them in the Asian Champions League too, including a disappointing 1-1 draw with Iran's Tractor FC.

Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa now faces a tactical puzzle. His team sits fourth in the league with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one loss. But without reliable goal scorers, maintaining their position becomes much harder.

The club confirmed Azmoun's injury in an official statement, saying the player would undergo surgery and stay away from football for an unspecified period. They wished him a speedy recovery but provided no timeline for his return.

This attacking crisis comes at a critical time. Al Ahli Youth needs consistent goal scoring to compete for the league title and advance in continental competition. Sousa must quickly find solutions, whether through tactical changes or relying on other squad members to step up.

For a team that already struggled to score goals, losing two attackers in such a short span creates serious problems. The next few weeks will test how well the coaching staff can adapt and whether the remaining players can handle the increased responsibility.