In a disappointing evening for its fans, Al-Ittihad was held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Al-Hazm in a rescheduled match from the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This result represents another setback for "Al-Ameed" (Al-Ittihad's nickname) this season, costing them two valuable points in their fight for a top spot in the league standings.
Match details and events
The match, held at Al-Ittihad's home ground, saw near-total dominance from the home side, who tried every possible way to break down Al-Hazm's organized defense. Despite numerous opportunities for Al-Ittihad's attackers, the first half ended in a goalless draw thanks to Al-Hazm's resolute defense and the brilliance of their goalkeeper. In the final minutes of the match, it seemed Al-Ittihad was on its way to victory when its Portuguese player, Roger Fernandes, scored the opening goal in the 80th minute. However, the joy of the "Tigers" fans was short-lived, as Al-Hazm capitalized on a swift counter-attack, with Abdulaziz Al-Dhuwaihi scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 84th minute, forcing a draw.
Context and importance of the result for both teams
This draw only adds to the pressure on Al-Ittihad, who are striving to return to winning ways and seriously contend for the league title, or at least secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League. After an exceptional season in which they clinched the league title, the team finds itself struggling to maintain its form this season. Matches like these, especially at home against teams competing in the middle or lower ranks, represent an invaluable opportunity to collect points. With this result, Al-Ittihad's tally rises to 39 points, placing them sixth, a position that falls short of the ambitions of their fans, who had hoped for a continued winning streak.
A valuable point for the package
On the other hand, Al-Hazm delivered a remarkable tactical performance, successfully closing down spaces for Al-Ittihad's players and relying on defensive discipline and swift counter-attacks. This point earned at Al-Ittihad's stadium is a significant achievement, providing a tremendous morale boost in their league campaign. Al-Hazm now has 25 points, placing them 13th in the standings, taking a crucial step in their fight to avoid relegation from the top flight.
Impact of the result on the Saudi League
This match reflects the high level of competitiveness and rivalry that the Saudi Professional League has reached, where there are no longer any easy matches, and all teams are now capable of achieving positive results against the top clubs. Al-Ittihad will need to reassess their strategy and quickly correct their mistakes if they want to return to contention, while Al-Hazm will try to build on this positive result to achieve more surprises in the upcoming rounds.
