RIYADH: On Friday, much of the talk in Saudi football was about the apparent return of Al-Ittihad’s fighting spirit.
A 1-0 away win against Al-Qadsiah, despite playing half the match with 10 men, was unexpected even among the Tigers fans. The victory rekindled their hopes after a 1-1 home draw in the opening game of the Saudi Pro League season, against Al-Kholood, had sparked fears of a repeat of their dreadful start to last season.
They were back in action on Monday night, in front of a reenergized home crowd, but although they claimed all three points with 3-2 victory over Al-Hazem, they had to fight tooth and nail for them.
Al-Ittihad started the match in complete control, exploiting gaps either side of the Al-Hazem center-backs to deliver precise through balls to Marwan Al-Sahafi and Youssef En-Nesyri. One of En-Nesyri’s attempts was ruled out for offside and he spurned another when onside.
Yet for all their dominance, the first goal did not come from the men in yellow and black. It took just a moment for Al-Ittihad’s shape to unravel. Al-Hazem’s midfield pounced on a clearance and striker Afimico Pululu received the ball on the flank, drawing Danilo Pereira out of position before delivering a low cross for Abdulaziz Al-Dwehe to tap home in the 18th minute.
Al-Ittihad were patient in the build-up as they searched for an equalizer, before their trademark through passes into the channels carried them to a 2-1 lead before half-time.
The first goal came after Houssem Aouar released Steven Bergwijn in the 34th minute and the Dutchman finished powerfully to level the scores. Seven minutes later, Al-Sahafi was slipped through on goal only to be brought down for a penalty. Bergwijn stepped up and converted it for his brace.
Al-Ittihad manager Jens Wissing made two half-time changes but the move initially seemed to backfire. Al-Hazem dominated the opening stages of the second half, during which they had a goal ruled out for offside in the 49th minute, before drawing level on the hour mark when Jan-Carlo Simic was beaten in the air to a cross by Sofiane Bendebka.
In-form George Ilenikhena and Saudi national team striker Saleh Al-Shehri came on for Al-Ittihad soon after, but it was a defensive error from Al-Hazem that handed them their third. As Danilo rose for a header, the ball struck Abdulrahman Al-Dakheel’s hand, prompting a review by the video assistant referee that ultimately confirmed a second penalty for the Tigers in the 81st minute.
The decision was a talking point on social media; it was not the first or even second match this season in which a team had received two or more penalties. Bergwijn once again stepped up to complete his hat-trick, driving home a powerful penalty a la Dominik Szoboszlai, and seal victory for the Tigers.
Al-Qadsiah, meanwhile, bounced back after their defeat on Friday with a 2-0 victory over Neom, in what amounted to a battle of new-era clubs, both of which have recorded top-half finishes since joining the top flight.
Tijjani Reijnders opened his account for Al-Qadsiah on his first full appearance. In the 29th minute, Gaston Alvarez evaded pressure with a moment of skill before releasing Reijnders in the final third, and the Dutch international struck from outside the box to give Brendan Rodgers’ side the lead.
Christopher Bonsu Baah’s cross in the 56th minute earned Al-Qadsiah a penalty after it struck the arm of Neom midfielder Abdulmalik Al-Oyayri, and Mateo Retegui calmly converted from the spot.
The game was notable for a tactical gamble from Neom head coach Christophe Galtier, who opted not to start Alexandre Lacazette, who on Friday scored a brace against Al-Faisaly. He was eventually introduced in the 61st minute but by that point Al-Qadsiah had firm control of the game.
On Tuesday, newly promoted Abha welcome Al-Khaleej at 7:05 p.m., Al-Taawoun host Al-Fayha at 7:10 p.m., while in what promises to be an entertaining fixture Al-Ettifaq take on visiting Al-Nassr, and Al-Shabab face Al-Riyadh in an all-Riyadh clash, with both games kicking off at 9 p.m.
