We are still digesting the events of the first gameweek as several players are already on their way to their national teams. Yes, we only got a sort of a demo from the Saudi Pro League action as we are forced to wait through the international break. Nevertheless, we have a lot to talk about so letโs get starting!
๐. ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest questions we asked ourselves is whether the time has come for Al Nassr to challenge for the title following the teamโs massive โ and letโs be honest, much needed โ overhaul in the summer. Well, as we could have expected, the offensive investments seem to pay dividends as Ronaldo and co took all three points from Buraidah with a very convincing 5-goalsโ victory. Special credit should go to Joรฃo Fรฉlix, who scored a hat-trick on his first match in the Riyadhi team, including some spectacular stunners. Thanks to this massive win, Al Nassr waits for the next round at the top of the league table.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐จ๐ญ๐: ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ
Al Ettifaq ended last season on a high note so the question was given: can the Dammam-based team build on their momentum? The first impression is certainly positive as they started with a win over Al Kholood. One player especially stood out: Mohau Nkota. The singing of the young South African may have been excellent business done by Al Ettifaq as he has been dictating the tempo of the match and needed less than eight minutes to open his goalscoring account in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dammam is certainly a great place for players like him to develop under Saad Al Shehri โ we look forward to seeing the development of the explosive winger throughout the season!
๐. ๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ณ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐
One thing is certain: goals were not a scarce commodity in the first round. At least a goal was scored on each match, while the championโs visit in Najran stood out, as their encounter resulted in no less than seven goals! The star of the show was the iconic forward of the Tigers, Karim Benzema, who registered a hat-trick. In the end, Al Ittihad took all three points home with a 2-5 victory. Some consolation for the hosts: their offensive display was encouraging, and Juan Sebastiรกn Pedroza was particularly in-form, scoring a brace.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฌ
Letโs also take a look at the newcomers of the league! In particular, the debut of NEOM was obviously much-anticipated. However, they had an uphill task in beating the Asian champion and fresh Saudi Super Cup winner Al Ahli. Although all three points stayed in Jeddah, it did narrowly, and you would expect that NEOM will bounce back quickly following such a display. Al Najmah also had their moments, but Al Qadsiah kept all three points at home, too.
From the three promoted teams Al Hazem got the closest to actually win its first match. They visited Damac and it looked very likely that they will book a victory when they had a 0-1 lead with a penalty awarded for them deep in the stoppage time. However, the last minutes were like a horror show for the visitors: Al Somah fired the penalty over the bar, Damac equalised and almost took the lead in the final moments of the match, too. A disappointing draw for the visitors, but a valuable point, nonetheless.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐
If we have to pick two teams, which went under a massive rebuilding this summer, we nominate Al Shabab and Al Khaleej. In fact, the White Lions rebuilt their entire midfield in the summer, including even the reserve central midfielders โ not something you would expect after the positive performances of last season. Well, incidentally, these two teams had to entertain each other in the first gameweek. To give you a brief and honest verdict on this match, we are a bit worried for Hamdallah and co as the visitors ran rampant against them. On the other hand, quite an impressive show from Al Khaleej. The departure of Al Salem seems to be well compensated with Joshua King, who introduced himself with a brace. Well done Al Khaleej, keep up the great work!
