AL NASSR MAINTAINS PERFECT START AS RONALDO RACES FOR 1,000 GOALS
Another mad gameweek is behind us – let’s recap its key events right away!
1. THE ROAD TO A THOUSAND GOALS
We have to talk about a certain Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro once again. The Portuguese legend has just reached 950 career goals this weekend by scoring his team’s second goal against Al Hazem. By the way, this was his 80th goal in the Saudi Pro League. A friendly advice: don’t bet against him reaching the thousand mark before the end of the season!
2. KEEP IT CLEAN!
Last round we were raving about the large number of goals scored. This time we have to take a bow before the goalkeepers keeping a clean sheet: Borjan (Al Riyadh), Mendy (Al Ahli), Bono (Al Hilal), Casteels (Al Qadsiah), Najjar (Al Okhdood) and Al Aqidi (Al Nassr) each avoided conceding this weekend. Congratulations!
3. TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO BURAIDAH
Few would have thought that Al Taawoun will be sitting in the second spot of the league table after the clear defeat they suffered against Al Nassr in the first round. Well, this is the Saudi Pro League, where anything can happen and nothing can be taken for granted. Five wins in a row have made the Buraidah-based team one of the most reliable and consistent forces of the Roshn Saudi League. A nice return for Chamusca following his one-year spell at NEOM.
4. SAUDI EL CLASICO: THE BLUE WAVES PREVAIL
The most anticipated fixture of the round was the derby between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal. To summarise it briefly: the fans of the Tigers were left disappointed as the Blue Waves won with a 0-2 scoreline. This result means that new head coach Sérgio Conceição is still looking for his first league win.
5. AL FATEH SECURES THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
One of the most entertaining matches of the gameweek – at least for neutral fans – was the encounter between Al Fateh and Al Ettifaq. Both of the teams played for the win and in the end the home team prevailed in an action-packed 90 minutes. This win was certainly much needed by them as it lifted them out of the relegation zone. The victory of Al Fateh means that only three teams are still winless: Damac, Al Okhdood and Al Najma – incidentally, these teams occupy the bottom tree spots of the table.
