What happened in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 17
Cristiano Ronaldo inspired leaders Al Nassr and promoted Al Khaleej returned to winning ways during Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 17.
Details and match highlights are below.
AL SHABAB 2-0 ABHA
Argentina superstar Ever Banega and the prolific Carlos Jr netted in both halves as Al Shabab swept past Abha.
Banega’s low finish forced the first, with Carlos Jr’s ferocious volley then moving him onto 12 goals for the campaign.
The result saw third-placed Al Shabab keep pace with Al Ittihad and Al Nassr at the summit on 40 points, while Abha sit ninth.
AL ADALAH 2-2 AL TAI
Al Adalah and Al Tai shared the spoils after a rollercoaster second half.
Peru midfielder Cristofer Gonzales sparked a spree of four goals in nine minutes, when he netted for the hosts. Knowledge Musona and Mukhtar Ali turned it around at lightning speed for the visitors, before Marcus Antonsson slotted in a leveller.
Al Tai are eighth, while promoted Al Adalah remain second bottom.
ETTIFAQ 0-3 AL ITTIHAD
Free-scoring Al Ittihad earned another handsome win, this time at Ettifaq.
Helder Costa’s thumping volley gave Nuno Espirito Santo’s men a half-time lead. This was added to by Romarinho and substitute Haroune Camara.
Second-placed Al Ittihad are locked at the top with Al Nassr and Al Shabab. Ettifaq finish the round in 11th.
AL NASSR 2-1 AL TAAWOUN
Ronaldo’s pair of assists helped Al Nassr earn a crucial – and hard-fought – victory against Al Taawoun.
The Portugal superstar’s precise pass sent Abdulrahman Ghareeb clear and he executed a fine curled finish. The visitors, however, levelled moments after the interval through Alvaro Medran’s back-post tap-in, prior to Ronaldo instinctively teeing up Saudi Arabia centre-back Abdullah Madu for a 78th-minute clincher.
Al Nassr stay top of the table, while Al Taawoun are fifth.
AL WEHDA 2-2 AL RAED
Al Wehda launched a second-half comeback to claim a share of the spoils with Al Raed.
Cape Verde striker Julio Tavares netted twice to put the visitors 2-0 ahead by 53 minutes. Anselmo and Alaa Al Hejji then struck back.
Al Wehda end the round in 14th. Al Raed are 10th.
AL FATEH 2-0 AL BATIN
Cristian Tello produced another fine goal when his Al Fateh defeated Al Batin.
A penalty from Moroccan centre-back Marwane Saadane put the hosts ahead, just prior to the interval. January arrival Tello then struck from distance to secure their triumph.
Al Fateh are sixth, while Al Batin remain bottom.
AL KHALEEJ 2-0 DAMAC
Albania striker Sokol Cikalleshi’s double earned Al Khaleej a valuable victory.
The promoted outfit took the lead on 32 minutes thanks to a firm, low finish. A penalty after the break then helped them prevail.
Al Khaleej are 13th in the standings. Damac stay seventh.