In a thrilling and exciting match between Al-Fayha and Neom, the game ended in a 1-1 draw at King Salman Sport City Stadium, as part of the postponed tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. Both teams delivered a strong performance, reflecting the high level of competition that has become the defining characteristic of the league this season.
The general context and competitive landscape of the Roshan League
This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to attracting top international stars, thus raising the level of play and media coverage of the tournament. The competition is no longer limited to the traditional top teams, but has extended to include mid-table teams that have proven their ability to upset the giants and achieve positive results, as exemplified by Al-Fayha in this match. This adds to the excitement of the league and makes every point doubly valuable in the title race.
Match events and goal details
The match began with early pressure from Neom, eager to secure all three points. This pressure translated into an early goal in the 13th minute by French striker Alexandre Lacazette, who capitalized on a clear opportunity to put the ball in the net. Al-Fayha tried to get back into the game and almost conceded a second goal, but defender Ahmed Hegazi made a brilliant save to deny Fashion Sakala's dangerous shot in the 40th minute. In the 44th minute, the referee disallowed a second goal for Neom, scored by Abdullah Doukouré, after consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The first half ended with Neom leading 1-0.
At the start of the second half, Al-Fayha came out with a clear desire to equalize, and they didn't take long to achieve their goal. Algerian star Yacine Benzia scored the equalizer in the 48th minute after a decisive pass from his teammate Jason Jason, firing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Maximiano. The match ignited after the equalizer, with both teams exchanging attacks. Neom's goalkeeper made a brilliant save from Sabri Dahal in the 49th minute, and then again in the 58th minute, denying Fashion Sakala a second goal for Al-Fayha. Both sides continued to press for a winner, but neither could find the net, and the referee blew the final whistle, declaring the match a 1-1 draw.
The impact of the result on the teams' standings
With this result, NEOM FC raised their points tally to 32, occupying eighth place in the Saudi Professional League standings, a result that may not satisfy the team's ambitions. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha reached 27 points, placing them eleventh, and this point is considered valuable for the team in their struggle to improve their position in the middle of the table and move away from the relegation zone. This draw reflects the close competition in the league and the ability of the teams to compete fiercely until the very end.
