Al-Ettifaq, under the guidance of their English coach Steven Gerrard, continued their resurgence in the Saudi Professional League, securing a valuable away victory against Al-Fateh with a score of 2-0. The match took place at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa, as part of the 23rd round of the competition, and witnessed a well-organized tactical performance from "Faris Al-Dahna" (Al-Ettifaq's nickname), enabling them to claim all three points.
Match details and events
Al-Ettifaq dominated the match from the outset, searching for an early goal to unsettle the home side. Their efforts paid off in the 41st minute when Cameroonian striker Karl Toko Ekambi opened the scoring, capitalizing on a decisive pass to put his team ahead just before halftime. In the second half, Al-Fateh continued their attempts to get back into the game and equalize, but Al-Ettifaq's organized defense and Brazilian goalkeeper Paulo Victor prevented them from doing so. In the 71st minute, Spanish midfielder Álvaro Medrán extinguished Al-Fateh's hopes by scoring Al-Ettifaq's second goal, securing the victory and all three points for his team.
The importance of winning in the context of the Roshan League competition
This victory comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as the competition intensifies in the prestigious Roshan League, which enjoys a wide global following thanks to its constellation of international stars. For Al-Ettifaq, this win represents a significant step towards achieving stability and solidifying their ambitions of finishing the season among the top teams. The victory raised Al-Ettifaq's points tally to 34 at that time, strengthening their hold on sixth place and distancing them from the crowded mid-table. The win also reflects the noticeable tactical improvement of the team under the guidance of Gerard, who is striving to establish a clear identity for the Knights of Ad-Dahna.
Impact on the teams' standings
On the other hand, this loss dealt a blow to Al-Fateh's ambitions, as they had hoped to capitalize on home advantage and secure a positive result. The team's points tally remained at 31, further distancing them from the race for Asian Champions League qualification. Despite boasting a strong squad under Croatian coach Slaven Bilic, Al-Fateh struggled to break down Al-Ettifaq's solid defense. This victory provides Al-Ettifaq with a significant morale boost ahead of their upcoming matches, while forcing Al-Fateh to reassess their strategy and get back on track in the remaining league rounds.
