In an exciting and decisive encounter, Al-Fateh to achieve a valuable away victory against their host Al-Akhdoud with a score of 2-1, in the match that brought them together on Monday evening at Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium, as part of the postponed tenth round of the Saudi Professional League for the 2023-2024 season.
General context and importance of the meeting
This encounter comes amidst an exceptional Saudi League season, which has captured global attention thanks to attracting top international stars, raising the level of competition and excitement in every match. For Al-Fateh, known as "The Model," the game was an opportunity to solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table and move closer to qualifying for Asian competitions. As for Al-Akhdoud, newly promoted to the Pro League, every point is crucial in their fierce battle to avoid relegation to the First Division.
Match details and events
The first half ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams playing cautiously. Al-Fateh enjoyed a slight advantage in possession, but neither side created any real danger, as play was largely confined to midfield and scoring opportunities were scarce. The second half was a completely different story, full of excitement and three goals. Moroccan star Mourad Batna the scoring for Al-Fateh in the 55th minute from the penalty spot, giving his team a well-deserved lead. Al-Fateh came close to adding a second goal on several occasions, most notably when Abbas Al-Zubaidi found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 62nd minute, and a powerful header from a Batna cross was brilliantly saved by the Al-Akhdoud goalkeeper in the 68th minute.
In the 85th minute, Algerian Sofiane Bendebka extended Al-Fateh's lead with a second goal, seemingly sealing the victory for the visitors. However, Al-Akhdoud refused to give up and managed to reduce the deficit in stoppage time, specifically in the 90+1 minute, through their player Naif Asiri , igniting the final minutes of the match. Ultimately, the final whistle confirmed Al-Fateh's victory.
Impact of the result on the league standings
With this victory, Al-Fateh increased their points tally, strengthening their position in the standings and continuing their pursuit of a higher ranking this season under their coach. On the other hand, Al-Akhdoud's points remained unchanged, leaving them in the relegation zone and at the bottom of the table, increasing the pressure on the team to turn things around in the upcoming rounds and move away from the drop. This match reflects the fierce competition in the Roshan League, where there are no easy games, and all teams strive to achieve their goals, whether at the top or the bottom of the table.
