DAMMAM: In a night that many expected to signal a turning point for Al-Qadsiah’s position among Saudi football’s elite, Brendan Rodgers’ side fell short in their home fixture against Al-Ittihad, marking the first major Pro League encounter of the season.
While Al-Qadsiah could take solace in facing an Al-Ittihad side markedly different from their league-winning campaign two seasons ago—fractured by key departures, underwhelming acquisitions, and ongoing boardroom instability—their failure to capitalize proved costly. Despite playing most of the second half with only ten men, the hosts managed just a 1-0 defeat, snapping a 587-day unbeaten run at home.
The evening saw the eagerly anticipated debut of Tijjani Reijnders for the home team. The Dutch midfielder replaced Otavio in the 57th minute as Rodgers sought to bolster his attack. Though not out of sync, Reijnders struggled against an Al-Ittihad side content to defend deep and protect their slim advantage.
The decisive moment came from 20-year-old George Ilenikhena, whose half-time strike from the edge of the box found the back of the net past goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar. This goal followed his brace against Al-Najma in the King Cup, validating head coach Jens Wissing’s faith in the young talent alongside Youssef En-Nesyri.
However, Al-Kassar came under scrutiny for failing to contain a weak long-range effort from Faris Abdi, leading to the corner from which the goal originated. This lapse raised questions among supporters regarding the decision to leave Koen Casteels out of the squad in favor of additional foreign reinforcements.
Despite the setback, Al-Qadsiah demonstrated their offensive prowess throughout the match, with four goals disallowed for offside—including three from Julian Quinones and one each from Mateo Retegui. Al-Ittihad also saw a legitimate goal chalked off when En-Nesyri neatly chipped Al-Kassar following a swift counterattack.
Al-Ittihad’s resilience was evident through crucial blocks and stellar saves from Predrag Rajkovic. Coach Wissing adeptly managed the challenge posed by Dion Lopy’s red card in the 67th minute, transitioning seamlessly to a 4-4-1 formation with Mukhtar Ali replacing Steven Bergwijn to reinforce midfield stability.
As the match progressed, Al-Qadsiah introduced Mohammed Al-Qahtani in search of inspiration. Already instrumental in their opening-day win over Al-Shabab, he was denied by Rajkovic in the 86th minute, underscoring the night’s tight defensive duels.
For Al-Ittihad, the victory arrives amid considerable turmoil but offers much-needed momentum. Overcoming the league’s most improved side in their home fortress follows a disappointing draw with Al-Kholood in their previous outing, providing Wissing’s squad with renewed confidence moving forward.
Elsewhere, Al-Nassr delivered a commanding 4-0 triumph over city rivals Al-Riyadh, with Angelo and Joao Felix headlining the offensive display. Angelo opened the scoring via a precise cross for Abdulelah Al-Amri in the 18th minute before netting himself just before halftime. Felix extended the lead in the 58th minute and returned after the break to assist Ronaldo’s landmark goal.
Ronaldo, making his seasonal comeback following his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez, entered in the 60th minute sporting a fresh look. His signature turn-and-finish past Milan Borjan in the 83rd minute brought his career tally to 977 goals, reigniting hopes of achieving the symbolic 1,000-goal milestone.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Diriyah claimed their inaugural SPL victory with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Al-Hazem. Oscar Rodriguez’s early assist to Abdulelah Al-Malki proved decisive, as Bruno Lage’s team defended resolutely for the remainder of the contest.
In another compelling fixture, Alexandre Lacazette’s brace within nine minutes in the second half secured Neom a convincing 2-0 victory over Al-Faisaly, showcasing the French forward’s clinical finishing ability.
Looking ahead, Saturday’s slate includes Al-Fateh hosting Al-Ettifaq in an Eastern Province derby at 6:45 p.m., followed by Al-Kholood clashing with Al-Taawoun in a Qassim showdown at 7:10 p.m. The evening concludes with Al-Khaleej welcoming Al-Shabab and Al-Ahli entertaining newly promoted Abha, both fixtures commencing at 9 p.m.
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