What happened in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 20
Romarinho’s stunning winner settled a summit clash in Al Ittihad’s favour and holders Al Hilal roared back to form during an intriguing matchweek 20 in Roshn Saudi League.
Details and match highlights are below.
AL BATIN 1-0 AL KHALEEJ
Yousef Al Shammari’s early strike continued bottom-placed Al Batin’s uptick in form at promoted Al Khaleej’s expense.
His smart finish in the fifth minute made it six points from the last nine available.
Al Batin are now only seven points from 14th-placed Al Khaleej, who just sit outside the drop zone.
ETTIFAQ 1-1 AL WEHDA
Sweden forward Robin Quaison’s second-half penalty rescued a point for Ettifaq against Al Wehda.
Alaa Al Hejji’s diving header had given the visitors a first-half lead. This was cancelled out in the 70th minute by Quaison’s spot kick.
Ettifaq are 10th and promoted Al Wehda sit 13th.
AL SHABAB 3-2 AL FAYHA
Al Shabab held on to claim victory in this rollercoaster contest in Riyadh.
Aaron Boupendza, Cristian Guanca and Santi Mina put the title-chasing hosts 3-0 up, by 39 minutes. But Iago Santos’ own goal and prolific Nigerian forward Anthony Nwakaeme’s thumping effort caused a nervous finish.
Al Shabab stay third, while Al Fayha are 11th.
AL ITTIHAD 1-0 AL NASSR
Romarinho’s spectacular counter-attacking goal at a packed King Abdullah Sports City witnessed Al Ittihad claim first place at Al Nassr’s expense.
The Brazilian finished off a flowing team move in the 80th minute, to edge an absorbing top-of-the-table clash.
Al Ittihad take the lead and Al Nassr now are second.
ABHA 2-2 AL FATEH
A brace of second-half penalties from Mourad Batna salvaged a point for Al Fateh.
Abdullah Al Zori and Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo netted for hosts Abha within the opening 20 minutes. But Batna twice held his nerve from 12 yards, including the decisive 96th-minute equaliser.
Abha are 12th, Al Fateh are sixth.
AL TAAWOUN 0-4 AL HILAL
Odion Ighalo netted twice as holders Al Hilal returned to winning ways at Al Taawoun.
The Nigeria striker converted from close range twice in the opening 45 minutes. Brazilian winger Michael and substitute Mohammed Al Qahtani then sealed an emphatic victory.
Al Hilal and Al Taawoun switched places, with the former sitting fourth and latter fifth.
AL TAI 1-3 DAMAC
Head coach Cosmin Contra experienced a victorious Damac debut.
Mohammed Harzan puts the hosts ahead on 33 minutes. But then Abdulaziz Al Shahrani and Abdulaziz Makin struck, prior to Hassan Al Jubairi’s own goal.
Al Tai are eighth and Damac are seventh.
AL ADALAH 0-3 AL RAED
10-man Al Adalah were dispatched by Al Raed.
Mohamed Fouzair opened the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time. A late double then followed from Julio Tavares and Mansor Al Beshe.
Al Adalah remain 15th and in the relegation spots, while Al Raed are ninth.