In a crucial match during the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, a refereeing decision to award a penalty to Al-Hilal sparked widespread controversy before renowned Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, confirmed the validity of the decision. The penalty was awarded after Al-Hilal and Saudi national team star, Salem Al-Dawsari, was fouled inside the penalty area during the match held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium.
In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, Abu Khadija explained the details of the incident, saying: “The penalty awarded to Al-Hilal was correct. There was a clear obstruction by Al-Qadisiyah player Jihad Zikri, who used his thigh to impede Salem Al-Dawsari’s movement and prevent him from reaching the ball. Therefore, the referee’s decision to award the penalty was correct .” This technical analysis puts an end to the speculation surrounding the decision, confirming that the referee made the right call according to the laws of the game.
General context and importance of the match in the league struggle
Such matches are of paramount importance given the intense competition in the Roshan League this season, which has garnered global attention after attracting international stars. Al-Hilal, as usual, enters the competition as the top contender for the title, and every point dropped could prove costly in the heated race for the top spot. On the other hand, Al-Qadisiyah, newly promoted to the professional league, seeks to prove its worth and achieve positive results against the top teams to secure a stable position in the standings.
The impact of the event and the brilliance of Al-Qadisiyah's goalkeeper
Despite the referee's correct decision, the excitement didn't end there. Salem Al-Dawsari stepped up to take the penalty, but he was met with a brilliant save from Al-Qadisiyah's Belgian goalkeeper, Koen Casteels, who expertly denied Al-Hilal a certain goal and kept his team's hopes alive. This save highlights the high quality that the Saudi league has come to possess, not only in terms of attacking players but also in terms of world-class goalkeepers who add another dimension of strength and excitement to the competition.
Crucial refereeing decisions, and the reactions that follow, whether it's a brilliant performance from a player or a goalkeeper, are an integral part of the drama of football that captivates millions. In a league as large and competitive as the Roshan League, every decision and every technical moment becomes fodder for discussion and analysis, enhancing the league's standing on the regional and international sporting stage and confirming that the competition extends beyond scoring goals to encompass every aspect of the game.
