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August 23, 2024
Faycal Fajr’s precise delivery on his Al Taawoun debut secured a victory for Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side, thanks to Abdulfattah Adam’s late header clinched the three points against Al Fayha in Buraidah. This result marked the start of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League.
Al Fayha’s Fashion Sakala had a prime chance to score early, receiving a well-placed through ball from Nawaf Al Harthi. However, Sakala’s shot was too central, allowing Al Taawoun’s goalkeeper, Mailson, to make the save.
The match turned late when Ibrahim Al Shuail was sent off for a foul on Ali Al Hussain, just 22 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Arruabarrena faced a challenge when his team was reduced to ten men, and he responded by making a tactical substitution. He replaced Musa Barrow with new signing Faycal Fajr, a move that would ultimately prove to be a game-changer. Fajr, fresh on the pitch, took advantage of a set-piece opportunity from the right flank. He delivered a precise and well-placed cross into the penalty area.
In the match’s dying moments, Abdulfattah Adam, who had also come on as a substitute, rose to meet Fajr’s cross with a powerful header. This decisive goal was scored five minutes into stoppage time, securing a dramatic victory for Al Taawoun. It also marked the first goal of the new Roshn Saudi League season for the hosts, setting the tone for their campaign.
The three points give Al Taawoun a solid start to their season as they prepare to travel to Jeddah for a matchup against last season’s fifth-placed team, Al Ittihad. On the other hand, Christos Kontis’ Al Fayha will face a tough challenge in their next game, hosting Al Nassr as they look to score their first points of the campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful header in the first half wasn’t enough to prevent Al Nassr from starting their 2024-25 league season with a 1-1 home draw against Al Raed.
The league’s top scorer from last season picked up right where he left off in May, scoring with a header 34 minutes into the match at Al Awwal Park. The goal left Al Raed’s 22-year-old goalkeeper, Meshari Sunyur, helpless on his RSL debut. Ronaldo’s strike was set up by Sadio Mane’s quick footwork down the left wing.
This goal marked Ronaldo’s 50th in the RSL, making him the third-fastest player to reach that milestone with 49 matches. Only the league’s all-time top scorers, Omar Al Somah and Abderrazak Hamdallah, reached the mark faster.
However, four minutes after the second half began, Al Nassr midfielder Abdullah Al Khaibari was pressured by Amir Sayoud, who stole the ball and charged toward the goal. Sayoud’s left-footed shot was initially saved by new signing Bento but rebounded into the path of Mohammed Fouzair. Before Fouzair could reach the ball, he was pulled back by Aymeric Laporte, leading the referee to award a penalty.
Al Raed captain Fouzair stepped up to take the penalty and successfully found the bottom corner to level the score. Near the end of the match, Ronaldo thought he had secured a victory for Al Nassr. Still, his goal was removed for being offside after receiving a through ball from Marcelo Brozovic.
The draw was significant for Al Riyadh’s new manager, Odair Hellmann, who had overseen his first competitive match since joining Al Riyadh during the summer.
Thursday’s standout match featured a thrilling six-goal spectacle at King Abdulaziz Sports City in Mecca.
In the 32nd minute, Al Wehda’s Odion Ighalo nearly broke the deadlock with a powerful header. Still, Al Riyadh goalkeeper Milan Borjan managed to deflect it. Moments later, Ighalo’s strike partner Craig Goodwin capitalized on an Alaa Al Hajji pull-back from the right to score the only goal of the first half, side-footing the ball into the net.
With Al Wehda leading narrowly at halftime, the game exploded into action in the second half, which saw four more goals and a red card. Bernard Mensah, making his Al Riyadh debut after coming on at halftime for Nawaf Al-Abed, quickly made an impact. Just six minutes into the second half, Mensah headed home a cross from fellow debutant Toze, leveling the score for the visitors.
A minute later, Al Riyadh’s efforts were dealt a setback when defender Hussain Al Nowaiqi was sent off for fouling Ali Makki, who was through on goal and had no defender between him and the net.
Al Wehda quickly took advantage of the situation, with Adelaide United legend Craig Goodwin again delivering for the home side. The Socceroo capitalized on a poor defensive clearance, striking the ball on the half-volley to score.
Five minutes before the end of regular time, another debutant made his mark. Toze’s corner kick was headed on by Lucas Kal towards the far post, where Iraqi winger Ibrahim Bayesh met it with a spectacular volley to level the score again.
The match reached a thrilling conclusion, with numerous stoppages extending the game by nearly 15 minutes. Murad Khadhari pounced on a Goodwin cross from the left to score what seemed to be Al Wehda’s winning goal.
Yet, Sabri Lamouchi’s Al Riyadh had one final twist in store. A quick passing sequence allowed Mensah to set up Kal 30 yards from goal. The Brazilian midfielder unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net deep into added time. Al Riyadh salvaged a point, resulting in a 3-3 draw as both teams shared the spoils.
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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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