The al-itthad of Jeddah secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over their guest al-akhdood in Friday’s match in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional Roshen League.
al-itthad double Saad Al Musa scored in the 45th minute and Talal Haji (83), while Groove Colado (63) scored.
With this victory, al-itthad was provisionally fourth with 40 points, while the al-akhdood balance was frozen at 23 points in 14th place.
The al-itthad took control of the game since its inception, with its advantage appearing clear as it dominated the centre of the pitch, amid a decline from the players of the al-akhdood.
Etihad players demanded penalties in the first seconds of the game, after Vitor ran the groove guard over Saleh al-Omari’s foot inside the box, but the referee ordered the play to continue.
الاتحاد يكسب الأخدود بنتيجة (2-1)
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The 23rd minute saw the first groove arrive in the Al Jedawi penalty area, when the attacker Tawamba hit a ground shot that Mohamed Al-Mahasna easily blocked.
Minutes before half-time, Saad Al Musa successfully opened the scoring for the Federation, taking advantage of an elaborate and tight cross from his teammate Saleh Al-Omari.
At the start of the second half, Argentina’s Marcelo Giardo, head coach of the al-itthad, added Portuguese Jota, instead of Al Shamri’s joy, for the first time the Portuguese player shared a long absence.
Unlike the first half, the al-akhdood started with greater confidence in the second half, rushing into the Union region.
Spain’s Colado managed to equalise for his side at the 62nd minute, thanks to a rocket shot from outside the box, which Al-Mahassan failed to tackle.
In the 76th minute, Jayardo ventured to attack for the win, engaging 16-year-old Talal Haji, instead of Sultan Al-Farhan, to try to increase his team’s attacking intensity.
In the 82nd minute, the al-itthad again advanced, thanks to Talal Haji, who completed Portugal’s Jota cross into the net.
Despite the al-akhdood’s attempts to equalize in the final minutes, the al-itthad defence tackled the attacks, announcing that the referee had blown his whistle by declaring “Brigadier General” a winner.
