Matchweek 2 round-up: Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq and Jeddah duo lead the race
Al Ittihad, Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq continued their perfect start to the season to sit at the top of the Roshn Saudi League table after the end of matchweek 2.
The second round of action saw 25 goals scored, with at least one goal scored in every game since the start of the season on August 11.
Matchweek 2 got underway on Thursday evening with two matches, with Al Riyadh traveling to Khamis Mushait where they took on Damac. The visitors stormed to a two-goal lead at the break thanks to Saleh Al Abbas brace, but Damac fought back with Abdullah Al Ammar bagging his own double to restore parity at the final whistle.
The 9 PM kick-off at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam saw Al Khaleej host Al Ahli. Despite the absence of the injured Roberto Firmino, the visitors had no problems in continuing their goal scoring exploits, with Roger Ibanez and Riyad Mahrez putting them two goals to the good at the interval. Mansour Hamzi pulled one back for the home side after the restart but a late strike from summer signing Sumayhan Al Nabit put the game to bed.
The action continued on Friday with newly promoted Al Okhdood making their home debut against Al Fateh. The visitors saw Spanish midfielder Alex Collado, who arrived in the summer from Real Betis, sent off. His compatriot Cristian Tello ran the show for the visitors, with the former Barcelona winger scoring twice, having already set up the equaliser for Mourad Batna, rendering Florin Tanase’s first goal of the campaign meaningless for the home side.
Three simultaneous games kicked off at 9 PM on Friday. Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq came away from Al Hazem Club Stadium in Ar Rass with a 2-1 victory thanks to Swedish forward Robin Quaison and Brazilian winger Vitinho. Meanwhile, Al Taawoun stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, handing them their second defeat on the trot, thanks to goals from Leandre Tawamba and Ahmed Bahussain. Goalkeeper Abdulqudus Attia was the hero of the night in Mecca, saving two penalties from Ever Banega and Habib Diallo as his Al Wehda side defeated Al Shabab 3-1. Anselmo, Hussain Al Eisa and Yahya Al Naji got on the scoresheet for the Mecca based side while Moroccan international defender Jawad El Yamiq put the ball in his own net on his debut for Al Shabab’s only goal.
Matchweek 2 concluded on Saturday with three games games. In the early kick-off Abha beat Al Raed 1-0 thanks to Omar Al Ruwaili’s goal, while Al Ittihad beat Al Tai 2-0 with goals from Abdulrazzaq Hamdallah and Saleh Al Amri.
With nearly 60,000 fans in attendance, Brazil captain Neymar was unveiled as a new Al Hilal player alongside his compatriot Malcom and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou ahead of the third game of the evening against Al Fayha. Former Rangers striker Fashion Sakala opened the scoring with his second goal of the campaign, and Abdullah Al Hamdan equalised for the hosts minutes later as the two AFC Champions League participants shared the spoils at King Fahd International Stadium.
The second round of action saw 25 goals scored, with at least one goal scored in every game since the start of the season on August 11.
Matchweek 2 got underway on Thursday evening with two matches, with Al Riyadh traveling to Khamis Mushait where they took on Damac. The visitors stormed to a two-goal lead at the break thanks to Saleh Al Abbas brace, but Damac fought back with Abdullah Al Ammar bagging his own double to restore parity at the final whistle.
The 9 PM kick-off at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam saw Al Khaleej host Al Ahli. Despite the absence of the injured Roberto Firmino, the visitors had no problems in continuing their goal scoring exploits, with Roger Ibanez and Riyad Mahrez putting them two goals to the good at the interval. Mansour Hamzi pulled one back for the home side after the restart but a late strike from summer signing Sumayhan Al Nabit put the game to bed.
The action continued on Friday with newly promoted Al Okhdood making their home debut against Al Fateh. The visitors saw Spanish midfielder Alex Collado, who arrived in the summer from Real Betis, sent off. His compatriot Cristian Tello ran the show for the visitors, with the former Barcelona winger scoring twice, having already set up the equaliser for Mourad Batna, rendering Florin Tanase’s first goal of the campaign meaningless for the home side.
Three simultaneous games kicked off at 9 PM on Friday. Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq came away from Al Hazem Club Stadium in Ar Rass with a 2-1 victory thanks to Swedish forward Robin Quaison and Brazilian winger Vitinho. Meanwhile, Al Taawoun stunned Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, handing them their second defeat on the trot, thanks to goals from Leandre Tawamba and Ahmed Bahussain. Goalkeeper Abdulqudus Attia was the hero of the night in Mecca, saving two penalties from Ever Banega and Habib Diallo as his Al Wehda side defeated Al Shabab 3-1. Anselmo, Hussain Al Eisa and Yahya Al Naji got on the scoresheet for the Mecca based side while Moroccan international defender Jawad El Yamiq put the ball in his own net on his debut for Al Shabab’s only goal.
Matchweek 2 concluded on Saturday with three games games. In the early kick-off Abha beat Al Raed 1-0 thanks to Omar Al Ruwaili’s goal, while Al Ittihad beat Al Tai 2-0 with goals from Abdulrazzaq Hamdallah and Saleh Al Amri.
With nearly 60,000 fans in attendance, Brazil captain Neymar was unveiled as a new Al Hilal player alongside his compatriot Malcom and Moroccan goalkeeper Yassin Bounou ahead of the third game of the evening against Al Fayha. Former Rangers striker Fashion Sakala opened the scoring with his second goal of the campaign, and Abdullah Al Hamdan equalised for the hosts minutes later as the two AFC Champions League participants shared the spoils at King Fahd International Stadium.
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