Al Batin’s dramatic win from 3-0 down exemplifies the gripping relegation fight in Roshn Saudi League
There have been some epic and dramatic games in Rohsn Saudi League, this season.
There was the 3-3 draw between Al Hilal and Al Wehda in March with both teams scoring deep in injury time, Al Shabab’s back-and-forth 3-2 win over Al Khaleej, plus more intense games at both ends of the table as the season approaches its climax.
Yet, what happened on Wednesday will surely go down as the match of the season… Al Batin hosted Al Tai and those who were there will never forget.
Al Batin, who had not tasted victory in any of the first 17 games this season but had won four of the last eight, started the match at the bottom of the standings and six points off safety. Al Tai would have stayed in seventh whatever the result, but victory would have taken the team to within two points of Al Fateh in sixth.
By the half-hour, that was the almost certain outcome as the visitors raced into a three-goal lead. Algeria’s Amir Sayoud opened the scoring after 14 minutes, stealing in at the far post to head home from close range.
It got worse four minutes later, Guy Mbenza made it two with a well-placed low shot from just inside the area to take his season’s tally into double figures. And then, it was three thanks to the in-form Knowledge Musona who sent Martin Campana the wrong way from the penalty spot.
It was not only game over, but it was surely the end of Al Batin’s time in the top tier. There was surely no coming back from three-goals down and even less chance of overturning a nine-point deficit with four games to go.
Yet, something happened. If there was to be any comeback, then it had to start before the break and three minutes into first-half stoppage time, Renzo Lopez pounced into a loose ball in the area and lashed home.
There was suddenly a spark of hope for the Sky Blues, but nothing more.
Seven minutes after the restart, the situation suddenly changed. Yousef Al Shammari headed home a corner and there was more than hope.
Now the hosts had belief and kept pushing forward but as the clock ticked and full-time approached, Al Tai were holding firm.
Then, three minutes before the end, the equaliser came. Andres Roa’s looping header from a Juan Redroza cross from the right beat everyone and nestled in the opposite corner to make it 3-3.
A point would have been a huge credit to Al Batin, but not that must use to either team.
In the 100th minute, Lopez had the chance to seal the most famous of wins from the penalty spot and the Uruguayan made no mistake and it was 4-3. The celebrations were wild, not because Al Batin had given themselves a slim chance of survival, but because they had made their mark on this season and given their loyal fans something to cheer.
Even if relegation comes, the comeback from 3-0 down to win 4-3 will never be forgotten.