A lot of goals, penalties, red cards and a Sea Derby defined the latest round of the Roshn Saudi League. This means that we have a lot to discuss – let’s get started!
1. Hail to Roger Martínez!
Impressively, Al Taawoun remains unbeaten and keeps on winning every match week in, week out, ever since their defeat against Al Nassr in the first round. Yes, this means seven in a row.
Indeed, the Buraidah-based team looks extremely well-composed this year and deservedly occupy the second spot on the league table. It’s usually unfair to single out a player from such a cohesive team, however, let’s make an exception and congratulate to Colombian international forward Roger Martínez, who scored a hat-trick, which greatly contributed to his team demolishing Al Fateh this round.
2. Ganvoula and Sakala goals lift Al Fayha up to the middle of the table
Let’s continue praising players, next stop: Al Fayha. Faithful followers of the Saudi Pro League may recall that Al Fayha had a, let’s say, challenging last season, during which it didn’t really seem evident that they will maintain their top division status. Finally, improved performances in the second half of the season ended the nightmare of the fans.
This is the background, in which Ganvoula arrived, and the Congolese forward has a difficult task as Al Fayha expects him to score a lot of goals. While he only scored twice so far, his contributions to the team go far beyond just scoring, while both of his goals were actual match-winners. No wonder that Al Fayha started this season in a much better shape than the last one, to which the Congolese frontman greatly contributed.
Let’s also praise Fashion Sakala, who seems to be on the verge of finding his form once again. His improved performances are now finally rewarded with a goal, and what a goal from a beautiful diving header! Once he gets back to his best then the league will tremble before Al Fayha.
3. What is the best time to score your first goal of the season? The Sea Derby.
Among the PIF teams Al Ahli stands out with its superb defence. Indeed, Jaissle seems to prioritise a solid defence above anything else, which certainly doesn’t mean that Al Ahli isn’t playing attractive football.
Indeed, they deservedly won the Sea Derby as they outplayed Al Ittihad in both aspects of the game. Riyadh Mahrez finally scored his first goal of the season with a very cool finish under pressure, while Mendy potentially pulled off the save of the gameweek in the very last minute of the stoppage time to deny a leveller from Danilo after a late corner.
4. Penalty show!
If you are after penalties – or red cards – then we also recommend you this league. Paolo Fernandes (Al Khaleej – a minute before getting sent off for a bad foul worthy of a second yellow card), Retegui (Al Qadsiah), Vada (Damac), Batna (Al Fateh) and Ronaldo (Al Nassr) each scored from the spot. A nightmare round for goalkeepers as each penalty-taker executed his task properly.
5. From zero to hero: Rúben Neves
As we mentioned red cards, we have to talk about poor Al Najma, who stunned Al Hilal twice by taking the lead against them as they sought their first point this season. However, two red cards seemed way too big an advantage for in-form Al Hilal to not capitalise on, and the newcomers of the league have to continue this unadmirable quest.
While the collectors of the red cards (Lázaro Vinícius Marques and Jawad El Yamiq) could feel unlucky, the same could have been said about Rúben Neves, the Portuguese engine room of Al Hilal, who scored an accidental own goal after Bono punched the ball into the helpless midfielder. His negative streak seemed to continue as the VAR – let’s be honest: rightly – overruled a penalty to a free kick at the edge of the box, however, things finally turned for him as his free kick was helped into the net of Al Najma with a big deflection.
