Finally, we will take a breather before the next round starts. Well, no: the Asian Champions League is about to roar on.
Let’s try to keep up with the pace: please see below our latest review of the key events of the Roshn Saudi League.
Dream debut for Benzema
The controversial move of Karim Benzema to Al Hilal has been on the table for some time now. The gossip clearly didn’t affect him as he started his life for the Blue Waves with a hat-trick in Najran. While these were his first goals for the Riyadhi giants, it was already his third hat-trick this season.
We have to give some credit to Ronaldo here: his arrival clearly boosted the title chances of Al Hilal massively, and the entire team played with added motivation following the massive capture of the Ballon d’Or winner striker. Al Okhdood stood no chance whatsoever, and neither their survival hopes, nor their morale was boosted by the destruction they suffered at the hands of Benzema, Malcom, Salem and co.
Ronaldo is still absent. Mané steps up.
As you may have guessed and heard already, Ronaldo missed the derby between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad. Both teams had a big loss to mourn, but football is merciless and there is no time to do that.
Let’s praise Sadio Mané, who has been excellent ever since his victorious return from the AFCON, and – once again – took the added responsibility falling on his shoulders in the absence of CR7. Al Nassr did well and secured an important victory to keep up the pressure on Al Hilal. By the way, what a goal from Ângelo Gabriel ending the last piece of action of the match!
A quick look at the table: Al Ahli is still up there.
Unaffected by the latest transfer drama, Al Ahli is silently and diligently doing its job to challenge for the league title. Toney scored (again) and took the lead on the list of goalscorers.
On the other end of the table, Al Shabab visited Al Kholood in a classic six-pointer. If the White Lions were able to win … well, don’t even continue on that, they lost, albeit narrowly. Abdulaziz Al Elewa capitalised on a defensive mistake orchestrated by Grohe (and, to be honest, Balobaid could also have done better), while the Riyadhi giants missed everything they could. A big win for Al Kholood as their relegation worries go away momentarily, leaving the quartet of Damac, Al Riyadh, Al Okhdood and Al Najmah behind.
