Al-Hilal tightens grip on top spot

Al-Hilaf tightened their grip on the top spot after a thrilling 3-2 victory over visitors Al-Ittihad in the Riyadh derby at the Kingdom Arena, in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League. Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli (11th minute), Englishman Ollie Watkins (30th), and Dutchman Cresencio Sammerfield (64th) took turns scoring Al-Hilal’s three goals, while Moroccan Youssef Al-Nesiri (22nd) and Dutchman Steven Bergwijn (89th, penalty) scored for Al-Ittihad. Al-Hilal’s tally rose to 21 points, two points clear of their closest rivals Al-Qadsiah, who beat Al-Khaleej 5-0, and Al-Nassr, who defeated Al-Diriyah 3-0 on Friday. Al-Ittihad remained on 17 points and dropped to fourth place.

Al-Hilal nearly scored early, but Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković was outstanding, saving Watkins’ header and neutralizing the danger (5th minute). From a well-worked move, Al-Hilal took the lead when Martinelli received a cross and fired it directly into the net (11th minute). Al-Ittihad had a clear chance to equalize, but Algerian Houssem Aouar’s shot went wide of the post (20th minute). Al-Ittihad then equalized from a swift counterattack, as Al-Nesiri chased a through ball and shot powerfully past his compatriot Yassine Bounou (22nd minute). Al-Hilal regained the lead following a deadly defensive lapse; Portuguese defender Danilo Pereira failed to clear the ball, allowing Watkins to intercept and slot it home (30th minute). Al-Ittihad had another opportunity to level, but a header from Al-Hilal defender Hassan Tambakti was deflected for a corner (40th minute).

Al-Ittihad pushed forward after the restart and came close to scoring, but Bounou’s heroics saved them, denying a shot from Senegalese forward Lopy Dion (49th minute). Meanwhile, the crossbar denied Al-Hilal a certain goal when Simon Bouabre’s shot hit the woodwork (59th minute). Following an excellent individual effort, Al-Hilal scored their third through Sammerfield, who dribbled past the defense before curling the ball to the left of goalkeeper Rajković (64th minute). Al-Ittihad was awarded a penalty, which Bergwijn converted, firing to Bounou’s left (89th minute).

In the Eastern Derby, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ghazal drew 1-1. Al-Ghazal broke the deadlock when Norwegian striker Gushua King scored from a penalty (68th minute). Al-Ittihad did not have to wait long for the equalizer, as Kosovan international Persan Selina leveled for his side just 10 minutes later. Al-Ittihad moved up to seventh place with 12 points, while Al-Ghazal remained in 13th place with six points.