“Keshim Al-Qahtani's effort was blocked in a goalmouth scramble just before the deadlock was broken, a warning sign of the pressure building.”
“Under pressure from a driving Al Ettifaq move, Donovan Leon turns the ball into his own net, breaking the deadlock.”
Pivotal
Abha
Al Ettifaq
Outstanding performance
Al Ettifaq•MidfielderAl Ettifaq dominated the underlying numbers throughout, controlling 60% of possession and doubling Abha's dangerous attacks, but for long spells they had little to show for it beyond territorial control. The breakthrough came not through open play brilliance but a slice of fortune, as Donovan Leon turned into his own net following sustained late pressure. Substitute Khalid Al-Ghannam proved the catalyst in the closing stages, forcing the own goal and then teeing up Moussa Dembele to put the result beyond doubt. For Abha, defensive resilience masked attacking toothlessness, they mustered nine shots but not one on target, a damning reflection of their inability to threaten despite decent tackling numbers. Al Ettifaq's win keeps them ticking along nicely in a season where they've shown genuine form, while Abha's lack of cutting edge will worry a side already looking nervously over their shoulder near the relegation mix.
How entertaining was this match?
Kamil Boumedmed is on, and Keshim Al-Qahtani is off.
Basil Al-Sayali is on, and Firas Alghamdi is off.
Faisal Al-Subiani replaces Abdullah Al-Fahad.
Offside.
Moussa DembéléVAR decision: Goal disallowed for offside against Moussa Dembele.
Moussa DembéléShot - Moussa Dembele Head Shot Goal
Goal! Moussa Dembele scores to make it 0-2, assisted by Khalid Al-Ghannam.
Corner awarded.
Khalid Al-Ghannam takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Donovan LéonShot by Donovan Leon results in an own goal.
Moussa Dembele takes a shot with his head, but it hits the post.
Goal! An own goal by Donovan Leon puts the score at 0-1.
Keshim Al-Qahtani takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Abdulbasit HindiYellow CardYellow card issued to Abdulbaset Ali Al Hindi.
Alimani Gory takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Nawaf Al Ghulaimish comes on for Mohammed Al Zaid.
Khalid Al-Ghannam comes on for Jordan Larsson.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Rayane Messi is on, and Ondrej Duda is off.
Rayane Messi comes on for Ondrej Duda.
Madallah Alolayan is on, and Mishal Al-Alaeli is off.
Majed Dawran comes on for Nabil Fekir.
Michy Batshuayi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Nabil Fekir takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Abdullah Al-Fahad takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Yellow card issued to Mohammed Al Zaid.
Alimani Gory takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Moussa Dembele takes a right-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Shot - Alvaro Medran Just Right Footed Shot Missed
Firas Alghamdi takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot - Moussa Dembele Head Shot Missed
Offside.
Goal! The score is now 1-0.
Corner awarded.
Yellow card issued to Ondrej Duda.
Yellow card issued to Firas Alghamdi.
Corner awarded.
Abdoulaye Kante takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Moussa Dembele has a shot, but it's blocked.
Jordan Larsson takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Michy Batshuayi takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Nabil Fekir takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Kick-off has occurred!
Winless Abha sit rock bottom of the table and desperately need a result at Dhamak Club Stadium, but they face an Al Ettifaq side that, despite a recent hiccup against Diriyah, has shown far more consistency this season. With Abha's form reading DLLL against Al Ettifaq's LLWW, this looks like a mismatch on paper—but Abha's home advantage could be their only lifeline.
