Al-Ettifaq, under the guidance of their English coach Steven Gerrard, continued their positive run in the Saudi Professional League, securing a valuable 2-0 victory over their guests Damac. The match was held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, as part of the 21st round of the competition.
Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum opened the scoring for Al-Ettifaq in the 19th minute of the first half, following up a well-coordinated attack to put his team ahead early. Despite both teams' efforts during the remainder of the first half, which saw good performances from both sides, the score remained unchanged. In the second half, the home side continued their dominance, with Mukhtar Ali adding a second goal in the 75th minute with a powerful shot that secured all three points for Al-Ettifaq.
The context of the match and its importance in the Roshan League
This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to its attraction of international stars. Al-Ettifaq, having strengthened its squad with big names like Wijnaldum and Demarai Gray, is striving to improve its position in the standings and compete for a spot in next season's Asian competitions. This victory boosts the team's ambitions and gives them a significant morale boost to complete the remaining league matches strongly.
On the other hand, Damac FC is going through a difficult period, as this loss has further complicated their situation in the relegation zone. The team finds itself in a fierce battle to avoid dropping down, making every upcoming match a do-or-die final. The team had high hopes of securing a positive result in Dammam, but Al-Ettifaq's strong organization ultimately proved decisive.
Expected impact of the match result
With this victory, Al-Ettifaq raised their points tally to 35, strengthening their position in the middle of the standings and keeping their hopes alive of advancing to the top four. The win represents a significant step in the club's ambitious project to build a team capable of strongly competing for domestic and continental titles. As for Damac, their points total remains at 12, increasing the pressure on the team and its coaching staff in the crucial upcoming rounds. Staying in the Pro League will be a major challenge requiring a concerted effort from all involved.
