In a nail-biting match that went down to the wire, NEOM and Al-Akhdoud played to a 1-1 draw in their Saudi Professional League match on Matchday 20. The game, held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Stadium, was full of excitement and dramatic twists, with both teams ultimately sharing the points.
Background and importance of the meeting in the context of the league
This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing unprecedented media and fan interest, thanks to its attraction of international stars and the high level of competition among its teams. Every match has become crucial, whether in the title race or the battle to avoid relegation. For NEOM FC, the match was an opportunity to solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table, while Al-Akhdoud FC entered the game fighting for survival, where every point represents a lifeline in their difficult season.
Details and events of the exciting match
The match began with early pressure from Neom, searching for an early goal to settle their nerves, but Al-Akhdoud surprised everyone with a swift goal in the fourth minute. From a perfectly weighted pass by Christian Bassogog, striker Khalid Nari found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and expertly placed the ball into the net, giving the visitors an early lead. This goal disrupted Neom's plans, and they intensified their attacking efforts throughout the first half, but Al-Akhdoud's organized defense and goalkeeper Samuel stood firm against all attempts, and the first half ended with Al-Akhdoud leading 1-0.
A dramatic second half and a valuable point
In the second half, Neom continued their relentless attacking pressure across the pitch, striving to equalize. As the match neared its end, their pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute. French star Alexandre Lacazette stepped up to take it and confidently converted, leveling the score and igniting the crowd. The drama intensified in the final minutes when Neom's Naif Asiri was shown a red card in the first minute of stoppage time (90+1), forcing his team to finish the match with ten men. Despite being a man down, Neom managed to hold on for the draw until the final whistle.
The impact of the result on the teams' standings
With this result, NEOM FC raised their points tally to 25, settling into ninth place in the Roshan League standings, a result that may not fully satisfy the team's ambitions. Conversely, this point is invaluable for Al-Akhdoud FC, who increased their total to 10 points, placing them seventeenth (second to last) and providing a morale boost in their fierce battle to avoid relegation from the Pro League.
