Al-Qadisiyah, the Knights of the East, continued their amazing run in the Saudi Professional League, achieving their seventh consecutive victory, after defeating their host Al-Najma 3-1, in the match that took place on Sunday evening at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, as part of the eighteenth round of the tournament.
Match details and events
Al-Qadisiyah started the match with a clear attacking intent and didn't have to wait long to open the scoring. In the seventh minute, full-back Mohammed Abu Shamat sent in a perfect cross, which Al-Najma's Honduran defender, Dibi Flores, attempted to clear but inadvertently put into his own net, giving the visitors an early lead. Al-Qadisiyah almost doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Mexican striker Julian Quiñones found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Brazilian goalkeeper Victor Braga made a brilliant save. Meanwhile, Al-Najma tried to get back into the game and had a dangerous opportunity before the end of the first half, but defender Yasser Al-Shahrani intervened just in time to deflect the ball for a corner.
In the second half, Al-Najma came back strongly and managed to equalize in the 57th minute through a swift counter-attack. Rakan Al-Tulaihi launched a powerful shot that nestled into the right corner of the net, past Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels. However, the home side's joy was short-lived, as Al-Qadsia quickly regained control. In the 62nd minute, Kenyones skillfully broke the offside trap to put the ball in the back of the net, restoring his team's lead. Italian striker Matteo Rettigny sealed the victory in the 74th minute, receiving a pass inside the penalty area and firing a powerful shot between the legs of goalkeeper Braga to score the third goal.
The context of the victory and its importance in the journey of both teams
This victory further solidifies Al-Qadsia's position as one of the leading contenders for the league title this season. The team, returning to the professional league with high ambitions after a stint in the first division, has proven itself a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its significant investments and high-quality signings. This winning streak puts them at the top of the standings with 39 points, sending a strong message to their rivals. On the other hand, this defeat exacerbates Al-Najma's woes, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table with only four points, making their fight to avoid relegation even more difficult.
Impact on the competition map of the Roshan League
Al-Qadisiyah's performance reflects the significant transformation underway in the Saudi Professional League, which has become a destination for some of the world's top football stars. The ability of a newly promoted team to achieve such outstanding results intensifies the competition and raises the overall level of the league. With this successful run continuing, Al-Qadisiyah proves that it is not just another name in the league, but a genuine title contender, promising an exciting season full of surprises right up to the final rounds.
