In a thrilling and closely contested match, Al-Hazm secured a valuable 2-1 victory over Al-Akhdoud at their home ground in Ar Rass, in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. The home side staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a one-goal deficit to snatch a dramatic win, thanks in large part to the brilliance of veteran Syrian star Omar Al-Somah.
Background of the match and its importance in the survival struggle
Both teams entered the match fully aware of the importance of the three points in their fierce battle to avoid relegation. Both languished at the bottom of the table, making the encounter a "six-pointer," where a win would not only add three points to their tally but also deny a direct rival those same points. This struggle unfolded during an exceptional season for the Roshan League, which has witnessed significant media and fan interest thanks to the influx of top international football stars. This has elevated the level of competition, transforming every match, especially those at the bottom of the table, into a decisive battle with no room for error.
Details and events of the exciting encounter
The match began cautiously from both sides, but Al-Akhdoud quickly surprised the home team. In the 18th minute, from a direct free kick, German player Godsway Doniuah curled a perfectly placed shot into the back of Al-Hazm's net, giving the visitors the lead. This advantage didn't last long, as Al-Hazm responded quickly and decisively. Just six minutes later, in the 24th minute, Abdulaziz Al-Dhuwaihi equalized with a well-placed header after connecting with a perfect cross, bringing the game back to square one. The first half continued with both teams exchanging attacks, with Al-Hazm enjoying a slight advantage, but the score remained unchanged.
In the second half, Al-Hazm intensified their attacking pressure in search of a winning goal, relying on the experience of their captain and top scorer, Omar Al-Somah. "The Colonel" came close to scoring on several occasions, most notably with a powerful shot that struck the crossbar in the 67th minute. As the match neared its end, and just when everyone thought a draw would settle the outcome, Al-Somah delivered. In the 83rd minute, the Syrian striker received a cross inside the penalty area, rose to meet it, and powerfully volleyed it past the Al-Akhdoud goalkeeper, scoring the decisive winning goal that ignited the stands at Al-Ras Stadium.
The impact of the win on the future of both teams
With this victory, Al-Hazm raised their points tally to 24, taking a significant step up the standings and moving further away from the relegation zone. This gives the team a huge morale boost for the remainder of the league season. On the other hand, Al-Akhdoud's points total remains at 10, further jeopardizing their position at the bottom of the table. They now need to achieve a series of positive results in their upcoming matches to maintain their chances of remaining in the top division.
