RIYADH: Al-Hilal had to come back twice to save a point at home with a 2-2 draw against Al-Qadsiah on Saturday night at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
The draw meant both teams dropped their first points of the season to trail leaders Al-Ittihad by two points after two rounds of Saudi Pro League action.
Al-Qadisah shocked the home team by taking a sixth minute lead through Ghanian forward Bonsu Baah’s low finish to the right of Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The visitors managed to hold on to the lead until half-time, but after only four minutes of the second half Al-Hilal were back on level terms. A flowing move ended with a Malcolm cross from the right that allowed Darwin Nunez to tap home the equalizer. It was the Uruguay and former Liverpool forward’s first goal for the club.
The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Mexican forward Julian Quinones restored Al-Qadsiah’s lead just a minute later with a finish that echoed Baah’s opener. On the touchline, Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi looked frustrated with his team’s loose defending.
Al-Hilal set up a grandstand finish when Reuben Neves equalized from the penalty spot after 71 minutes but the expected home winner never came despite four substitutions in the closing minutes.
Earlier on Saturday, Al-Khaleej defeated Al-Fayha 3-0 at home, while Musa Barrow’s 65th minute winner secured three points for Al-Taawoun after a 3-2 win at Al-Okhdood.
