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August 25, 2024
Several new recruits debuted in Matchweek 1 of the Roshn Saudi League, and many had the chance to make an immediate impact.
Fortunately, several of them rose to the occasion. Here, we highlight some newcomers who distinguished themselves as the eagerly awaited 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season kicked off.
There’s nothing like a six-goal thriller to kick off the season, and Al Wehda and Al Riyadh delivered just that with a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mecca. However, the revamped Al Riyadh side may have been the more satisfied team, thanks to Kal’s dazzling performance.
A recent addition from Brazil’s Atletico Goianiense, the midfielder unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike into the top corner deep into stoppage time, with the clock showing 97 minutes. This goal not only secured a point for his new club but also came after he provided an assist for Ibrahim Bayesh to equalize at 2-2. It was Kal’s debut to remember.
While many might have anticipated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to steal the spotlight early on for Al Qadsiah, the Gabon international, who joined from Olympique de Marseille last month, was absent from the team’s 3-0 home win against Al Fateh. Instead, it was Quinones who took center stage.
The Mexican, who moved from Club America to the Al Khobar club, scored twice on Friday, starting and finishing the scoring. His first goal, scored in the 30th minute, came from a precise touch and a powerful shot. His second, netted in stoppage time, showcased Quinones’ keen instincts as he leaped to head in Mohammed Abu Al Shamat’s cross from close range.
As one of the standout signings for the RSL this summer, the former Real Madrid captain was brought in to lend his extensive experience to the league’s newcomers. Nacho, who won the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA European Championship with Germany earlier this summer, played a crucial role in helping Al Qadsiah keep a clean sheet in their opening match. This is a promising sign for a team with considerable attacking strength.
It’s also worth noting the contribution of the man supporting Nacho: Belgium international goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who will have been pleased with his clean sheet on his competitive debut.
What a way to make a memorable impression on your new fan base. A standout signing from Italy’s AS Roma, Aouar is expected to be one of the RSL’s star performers this season. The Algerian playmaker was brought into the revamped midfield of the 2022-23 champions to create opportunities for key players like Karim Benzema and Moussa Diaby.
However, Aouar emerged as the decisive figure at Al Kholood on Saturday. As the match against the RSL debutants seemed headed for a draw, the former Olympique Lyon player made a crucial late run into injury time, meeting Abdulrahman Al Obud’s pull-back and finishing skillfully. Al Ittihad secured an opening victory and gained another hero to celebrate.
On paper, Al Ettifaq faced one of the toughest challenges of Matchweek 1. The Dammam club, which finished sixth last season, was set to visit an Al Shabab team that had shown significant improvement under manager Vitor Pereira in the latter half of the 2023-24 season, ultimately finishing eighth.
After transferring from English Premier League club Fulham this summer, Rodak might have been relieved to find that the hosts were missing RSL legend Abderrazak Hamdallah, a new signing. However, he still had to contend with Haroune Camara, Yannick Carrasco, and Giacomo Bonaventura.
Rodak, however, emerged unscathed even though his goal area was occasionally under pressure. This set the stage for Moussa Dembele’s stunning winner 16 minutes from the end. Despite the formidable challenge, Al Ettifaq secured a 1-0 victory.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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