Unmissable Roshn Saudi League action is heating up, at both ends of the table
It was an action-packed midweek schedule in Roshn Saudi League, with huge results at both ends of the table.
The one that is making most of the headlines was Al Taawounโs 2-1 win over leaders Al Ittihad in an action-packed game in Buraidah on Wednesday. Two fine strikes from Fahad Al Rashidi did the damage and, while Abderrazak Hamdallah pulled one back with 14 minutes remaining, the visitors did everything they could in the remaining time, and the 15 added minutes, to get at least a point.
It was not to be with substitute goalkeeper Raghid Al Najjar, who came on late in the first half for Mailson, making a number of fine saves.
It means that Al Ittihad stay three points clear but their game in hand has gone after a second defeat of the season. They now have 59 from 25, with Al Nassr on 56 and with a slightly better goal difference.
While a trip to Al Taawoun, who move into fifth with his victory, is never easy, they had failed to win any of their last five games, while the Jeddah giants had previously collected 34 points from the last 36 available. There was no doubt as to which the form team was in this encounter.
Yet the hosts stunned the visitors and also became the first team to score more than once against that miserly defence this season.
The loss meant that Al Shabab had a chance to also move within six points of the leaders and keep alive their hopes. They did just that with a hard-fought 1-0 win at home against Al Fateh.
Argentina superstar Ever Banega got the only goal of the game with a sublime free-kick, eight minutes into the second half.
The battle to escape the relegation zone also moved up a level. Bottom-placed Al Batin have rallied of late, but lost 3-1 to Al-Raed.
Al Khaleej, however, picked up a vital victory over Ettifaq, winning 2-1 to climb out of the danger zone and, worryingly for the other teams around them, it was a second-successive win.
They moved above Al Adalah, a fellow team that came up last season, who lost 1-0 at Abha.
12th-placed Al Fayha have lost form. A 2-1 defeat at Al Tai means that they have collected just two points from the last seven games.
13th-placed Al Wehda may have booked their place in the final of the Kingโs Cup, but their league form continues to be mixed. A 2-0 loss to Damac means that they have taken just four points from the last seven league games and are now just two points above the relegation zone.
There is still a little time left for every team – but not much.
The team that can start winning now will survive. Itโs that simple.