In the latest round of the Saudi Pro League, known as the “Roshan League,” Al-Ettifaq emerged victorious against Al-Ahli, securing a 3-1 win in a match held on Thursday at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. The game started with an early lead for Al-Ahli, who scored via a penalty kick converted by Ivan Toney in the sixth minute, allowing them to head into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
As the second half commenced, Al-Ettifaq responded vigorously, leveling the score just four minutes after the break, with a goal delivered by Mohammed Abdulrahman in the 49th minute. With time winding down, Al-Ettifaq was awarded a second penalty in the 87th minute, which was successfully executed by Gini Wijnaldum. The encounter concluded with a final flourish from Al-Ettifaq when their player, Madallah Al-Olayan, netted a third goal in stoppage time at the 90+5 minute mark.
This win propelled Al-Ettifaq’s point tally to 47, placing them seventh in the league standings. In contrast, Al-Ahli’s total remained at 64 points, leaving them fifth in the table.
In another match on the same day, Al-Fateh secured a crucial 1-0 victory against their hosts, Damak, in a tightly contested affair that unfolded at the Damak Stadium, also part of the 33rd round of league play. This win was particularly significant for Al-Fateh, as it officially guaranteed their survival in the league for the upcoming season.
The sole goal of the match came in the second half, created by Moroccan striker Mourad Batna in the 63rd minute. The situation became more difficult for Damak when they were reduced to ten men following the expulsion of defender Dhari Al-Anzi in the 51st minute after receiving his second yellow card.
With this hard-fought victory, Al-Fateh raised their points to 36, moving them to 12th in the standings. Damak, on the other hand, remained precariously positioned with 35 points, sitting at 14th place.
These matches marked significant developments in the league, showcasing the competitiveness and intensity of the Saudi Pro League as teams continue to vie for better standings. Al-Ettifaq’s resilience was evident in their comeback against Al-Ahli, while Al-Fateh’s win solidified their position in the league, leaving them optimistic about the future.
Overall, both results reflect the dynamic nature of the league, where every match carries substantial implications for the teams involved, highlighting the high stakes as the season approaches its climax. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as clubs strive to improve their rankings or secure safety as the league progresses toward its conclusion.
