What happened in Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 16
Cristiano Ronaldo netted a ‘super hat-trick’ and Abderrazak Hamdallah reached a goal-scoring landmark during Roshn Saudi League’s matchweek 16.
Details and match highlights are below.
AL BATIN 2-4 AL SHABAB
Argentina superstar Ever Banega’s opening goal of the campaign helped title-chasing Al Shabab roar back from a goal behind at bottom-placed Al Batin.
Uruguayan centre forward Renzo Lopez chested in an opener, for the hosts. But Cristian Guanca’s brace, Banega’s penalty and prolific forward Carlos Jr’s 11th goal of the campaign put the visitors out of sight, prior to Yousef Al Shammari’s deflected consolation.
The result saw Al Shabab end the weekend level on points with Al Nassr and Al Ittihad at the top, while Al Batin stay 16th.
AL TAAWOUN 1-2 AL FATEH
Saudi Arabia striker Firas Al Buraikan’s second-half brace sparked Al Fateh’s revival at in-form Al Taawoun.
The hosts appeared on course for a momentum-extending win when Paraguay playmaker Kaku produced a flamboyant, first-half Panenka penalty kick. But a pair of predatory finishes from Al Buraikan after the break completed the visitors’ comeback.
Al Taawoun remain fifth. Al Fateh have moved up to sixth.
AL WEHDA 0-4 AL NASSR
Ronaldo let loose at promoted Al Wehda and maintained Al Nassr’s slender lead at the summit.
A pair of thunderous low finishes put Rudi Garcia’s men two-up at the break. A penalty and a rebound then completed the the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s haul.
Al Nassr remain in first place, albeit level on points with Al Ittihad and Al Shabab. Al Wehda are 13th.
DAMAC 1-1 AL FAYHA
The spoils were shared at Damac Club Stadium on Friday.
Algeria forward Hillal Soudani’s smart turn-and-finish put the hosts ahead, just before the interval. Macedonia attacker Aleksandar Trajkovski then swept in a close-range leveller, on 65 minutes.
The result left Damac in seventh, while Al Fayha sit 11th.
AL TAI 2-0 ETTIFAQ
Al Tai snapped their five-match losing streak in Roshn Saudi League and earned the first victory of Mirel Radoi’s tenure.
Mukhtar Ali’s low shot and Amir Sayoud’s stylish second ensured visiting Ettifaq were defeated.
Al Tai finished the weekend in ninth, one place ahead of Friday’s visitors.
AL RAED 3-1 ABHA
Mohamed Fouzair’s late double saw Al Raed surge to victory against Abha.
Nawaf Al Sadi’s fine curled effort had put the visitors ahead on 41 minutes. But Damjan Djokovic levelled in first-half injury time, before Moroccan forward Fouzair put the game beyond the visitors in the final stages.
Al Raed sit 12th, while Abha are eighth.
AL ITTIHAD 5-0 AL ADALAH
Al Ittihad’s ruthless attack was on show when they defeated Al Adalah and Hamdallah reached 100 Saudi top-flight goals.
Romarinho’s sensational bicycle kick, a brace from their aforementioned Morocco hit man, Igor Coronado’s penalty and substitute Haroune Camara’s solo goal lit up a buoyant King Abdullah Sports City.
The result moved second-placed Al Ittihad onto 37 points, level with Al Nassr and Al Shabab. Promoted Al Adalah stay 15th.