What happened in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 21
A Cristiano Ronaldo thunderbolt inspired Al Nassr to victory and leaders Al Ittihad headed into the international break in dominant form during an intriguing matchweek 21 of Roshn Saudi League.
Details and match highlights are below.
AL KHALEEJ 2-2 AL TAI
Al Tai left it late to secure an enthralling draw at promoted Al Khaleej.
The hosts went in two-goals ahead at the break thanks to strikes from Sokol Cikalleshi and Hamad Al Abdan. But substitute Fahad Al Jobhani nodded Al Tai back into it, before a Knowledge Musona corner in second-half stoppage time caused carnage.
Al Tai are eighth, while Al Khaleej remain 14th.
DAMAC 1-0 AL BATIN
Cosmin Contra’s perfect start at Damac continued with victory over Al Batin.
The Romania great’s second-successive win was secured via Abdullah Al Ammar’s sixth-minute effort.
Damac sit seventh and Al Batin stay bottom.
AL FAYHA 1-1 AL ADALAH
The prolific Anthony Nwakaeme salvaged a late point for Al Fayha against Al Adalah.
The Nigeria forward struck in the 96th minute, with the promoted visitors previously hoping Ali Al Salem’s 36th-minute opener would be enough to secure valuable victory.
Al Fayha are 10th, Al Adalah stay 15th.
AL WEHDA 1-1 AL TAAWOUN
Costa Rica centre-back Oscar Duarte pounced to earn Al Wehda a valuable point against high-flying Al Taawoun.
The away side went ahead after half-time through Cameroon hit man Leandre Tawamba. But Duarte ensured the hosts got a share of the spoils.
Promoted Al Wehda are 13th, while Al Taawoun remain fifth.
AL FATEH 1-5 AL ITTIHAD
Morocco centre forward Abderrazak Hamdallah produced a hat-trick when Al Ittihad solidified their grip on top spot, at Al Fateh.
Hamdallah’s early opener was leveled on 41 minutes by Mourad Batna. But the visitors cut loose after the interval with further efforts from Hamdallah, plus Ahmed Sharahili and Igor Coronado.
Al Ittihad remain top and Al Fateh are sixth.
AL HILAL 3-0 ETTIFAQ
Holders Al Hilal’s return to form continued with a consummate triumph against Ettifaq.
Nigeria hit man Odion Ighalo’s ninth goal in nine league matches set them on their way. Saudi Arabia internationals Mohamed Kanno and Salem Al Dawsari then sealed all three points.
Al Hilal stay fourth, Ettifaq are 11th.
AL NASSR 2-1 ABHA
Al Nassr exhibited their desire to compete for Roshn Saudi League glory with a hard-fought win against 10-man Abha.
Al Nassr loanee Abdulfattah Adam fired the hosts in front early on. But then Ronaldo’s ferocious, 30-yard free-kick and the returning Talisca’s penalty turned the tables, late on.
Al Nassr are second and Abha 12th.
AL RAED 2-2 AL SHABAB
Title-chasing Al Shabab recovered from a two-goal, half-time deficit to draw at Al Raed.
Julio Tavares and Alexandru Mitrita had the hosts dreaming of an encouraging win, only for Grzegorz Krychowiak and Aaron Boupendza to strike.
Al Shabab remain third, Al Raed sit ninth.