While the spotlight is already on the upcoming clash of the Riyadhi giants, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, there has been some excellent football in the latest round of the Saudi Pro League. Indeed, we had to be selective with our highlighted topics. Nevertheless, let’s recap the key events of the latest gameweek of the Roshn Saudi League together!
1. Al Hilal goes 10 / 10 wins in a row, while Al Nassr collects only one point from three matches
Not so long ago, we have been praising Al Nassr week in, week out. Indeed, Ronaldo and co entered the history books of Saudi football as they became the first team to win their first ten league matches in a row. Fast forward few weeks, Al Nassr’s form dropped significantly, while the Blue Waves can’t stop winning, and become the second team in the league to win ten consecutive matches. It seems that, despite the recent departure of Cancelo, Rúben Neves and co have the upper hand, at least mentally, before the Capital Derby.
2. Players to highlight: Benzema and Calvo
The last time Karim Benzema scored was before the recent restart of the season in the end of December. Well, he needed barely more than 30 minutes and he achieved a first half hat-trick against 10-men Al Kholood. Al Ittihad has been in a fine form recently, now their talismanic striker also follows through – these are surely exciting times for the Tigers once again!
Al Ettifaq summer signing Francisco Calvo also deserves a lot of praise. The captain of the Costa Rica national team has been a very important player for Saad Al Shehri’s Al Ettifaq, who have been unbeaten for months. Calvo has been starting each of his team’s matches and has been a great asset both defensively and offensively: the latter is now showcased by the brace he scored against struggling Al Najmah. A great summer signing, isn’t he?
3. Don’t turn off the TV before the final whistle!
Speaking about Al Ettifaq, one would have predicted a clean victory once they were up 0-4. Well, no, it’s an unforgiving league and you aren’t allowed to underestimate anyone: freshly promoted Al Najmah came back to 3-4, starting a major offensive around the middle of the second half. Wijnaldum and co were relieved to hear the final whistle with a narrow victory in their hands by then.
The match between Al Fayha and Al Riyadh also had a tense finale: poor Tozé hit the woodwork from the penalty spot after sending Mosquera the wrong way, however, the hosts still salvaged a point with a stunning goal from Barbet deep in the stoppage time. Thanks to their resilience, Al Riyadh climbed out of the relegation zone.
4. Happy 70th birthday to Al Taawoun!
70 years passed since the establishment of Buraidah-based giants: Al Taawoun. They know how to celebrate as Chamusca’s high-flying team has been excellent all season. Al Shabab were gentle visitors and didn’t spoil the party: a quick red card and a penalty also conceded in the first 20 minutes ensured that Al Taawoun has an easy win at their hands – and that the White Lions swallow into the relegation zone…
5. Al Fateh has been excellent and may climb even higher in the coming weeks
Let’s finish this summary with something positive: Al Fateh. While their latest victory has been very narrow against NEOM, who could feel very unlucky to not get anything from the match, Al Fateh has been in a very fine form recently. They won four in a row, but their next four fixtures – against Al Riyadh (H), Al Najmah (A), Al Kholood (H) and Al Fayha (A) – suggest that this excellent run may not be over. Let’s see whether they can be third team to secure ten wins in a row!
