Strong Start for Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in the Saudi League

Al-Hilal secured a convincing 4-2 victory over visitors Al-Faisaly yesterday at the Kingdome Arena in Riyadh, as part of the first matchday of the Saudi Pro League. Karim Benzema scored a penalty for Al-Hilal, while Malcom and Ruben Neves (two penalties) added the other goals. Al-Faisaly’s goals came from Guinea’s Alexander Mendy and Congo’s Theo Bongonda.

Al-Ittihad also started strongly, defeating a ten-man Al-Riyadh 4-2. French star Moussa Dembélé stole the spotlight with a hat-trick that propelled Al-Ittihad to an ideal start to the new season, with compatriot Ryan Meeis adding another goal. Teddy Okou and Ghana’s Bernard Mensah scored for Al-Riyadh.

Meanwhile, ten-man Neom earned a deserved 2-1 win over visitors Al-Taawoun at King Khalid Sports City in Tabuk. Amadou Kone and Said Benrahma scored for Neom, while Hugo Moura netted Al-Taawoun’s sole goal.

The Asian champions, Al-Ahli, opened their season with a 1-1 victory over newly promoted Al-Diriyah at the First Abu Dhabi Park in Riyadh on Thursday. Edvard Speritsyan scored the winner for Al-Ahli, who played under their new Dutch-Bosnian coach Marino Pušić, replacing German manager Matthias Jaissle, who moved to manage English club Newcastle United.

In another match, Al-Qadsia overturned a one-goal deficit to beat hosts Al-Shabab 3-1. After falling behind to a goal from Hammad Al-Hamadi, Al-Qadsia responded with three goals from Mohamed Abu Shamah, Mexican player Julián Quiñones, and substitute Turki Al-Ammar.

Al-Hazem defeated hosts Abha 2-1, with goals from Abdulaziz Al-Duwaihi and Ahmed Al-Shamrani, against a single goal from Mohammed Al-Dosari.