We are a bit behind schedule as there is a lot going on. Nevertheless, letโs quickly review an action-packed gameweek โ or, at least, try to!
๐. ๐๐๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐: ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ
While there were several great performances, the Gambian talisman of Al Taawoun clearly stood out. Barrow assisted one and scored a brace himself as his team stunned Al Okhdood with a narrow victory. Relief for Buraidah as their team bounced back in an entertaining match following their defeat against Al Nassr last round.
๐. ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ซ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐
Definitely good news for Ronaldo fans that the Riyadhi giants look excellent ever since the summer overhaul. Both offensively and defensively they look strong as they lead the league with a 7-0 goal difference following two rounds. Yes, there is still a long way to go, but it is a great start. Letโs see if Ronaldo and co can build on this!
๐. ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐จ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ๐จ๐
Well, if we praised Al Nassr, we have to praise Al Khaleej, too. They are second only to Ronaldo and co with a convincing 7-1 goal difference and two major victories behind them against Al Shabab (A) and Al Fayha (H). Several key players were lost in the summer, however, the replacements seem to take Fortounis and co to the next level. Who remembers Al Salem now that Joshua King keeps on scoring like a machine?
๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง
Thanks to a brace from Lacazette, NEOM collected all three points against Damac on away ground. This was a much-needed bounce back after the narrow defeat against the Champions of Asia, Al Ahli. Looking at their fixtures, NEOM has every chance to go on a good run, and we are backing Lacazette and co to just do that.
While fellow promoted teams Al Hazem and Al Najma are still looking for their first wins, we are of the view that this wonโt be a long wait for either of them given their strong performances and narrow defeats this round.
๐. ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐
Unfortunately, four red cards were collected in round 2: Al Nakhli (Al Hazem), Rajkovic (Al Ittihad), Batna (Al Fateh) and Bayesh (Al Riyadh) were the โcollectorsโ. As regards penalties, Lacazette (NEOM) and Neves (Al Hilal) scored from the spot, however, Maolidaโs (Al Kholood) soft shot was saved by third-choice goalkeeper of Al Nassr, Al Najjar.
