“From a corner in the 70th minute, Iker Kortajarena Canellada found Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa, who converted to put Al Kholood ahead 1-0. The goal came just three minutes after the cancelled penalty controversy, adding to the emotional rollercoaster of the evening.”
Pivotal“Substitute Meshari Al-Nemer, introduced just two minutes earlier, equalised for Al Draih to make it 1-1. The goal came from nowhere and completed a dramatic late turnaround in fortune for the home side, who had struggled to test Al Kholood's goalkeeper all evening.”
Pivotal“A febrile finish saw yellow cards for both Hamed Al-Shanqity and Hamed Al-Shanqiti in stoppage time for unsportsmanlike conduct, reflecting the tension and frustration that had built throughout the second half as both sides pushed for a winner that never came.”
Al Diraiyah FC
Al Kholood
Outstanding performance
Al Kholood•MidfielderAl Draih dominated large portions of this match in terms of possession and territory — 58% of the ball, 68 dangerous attacks and eight corners — but their dominance in the statistics told a cruelly misleading story. They managed just one shot on target all evening, a damning indictment of their finishing, while Al Kholood arrived with far fewer touches but considerably more menace, creating four big chances and putting four of their nine shots on target. The decisive moment looked to have arrived in the 71st minute when Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa converted from a corner, assisted by Iker Kortajarena Canellada, who had earlier been involved in a VAR-cancelled penalty controversy that swung the emotional momentum of the game. Al Draih's response came through the bench: manager's gamble Meshari Al-Nemer, on the pitch for barely 120 seconds, prodded home the equaliser in the 83rd minute to secure a share of the spoils and deny Al Kholood what would have been a hard-earned away win. For Al Draih, sitting 18th in the Pro League, this point does little to ease the pressure, but Al-Nemer's intervention at least kept the damage to a minimum.
How entertaining was this match?
Yellow card shown to Hamed Yousef Al-Shanqiti.
Adil Boulbina takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Mohammed Hussain Sawan is substituted for Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa.
Seydouba CisséYellow CardYellow card shown to Seydouba Cisse.
Shot! Meshari Al Nemer scores with a header.
assist: Abdulaziz Al-Faraj
Goal! Meshari Al Nemer scores, making it 1-1.
Khalid Al-Asiri replaces Mohamed Hameran.
Meshari Al Nemer comes on for Abdulelah Al Malki.
Yazan Madani comes on for Ramzi Solan.
Ramzi SolanYellow CardYellow card issued to Ramzi Solan.
Darwin Gabriel Nunez Ribeiro attempts a header but misses the shot.
Coba Gomez da Costa takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Abdulaziz Al-AliwaShot by Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa with his right foot results in a goal.
assist: Iker Kortajarena
Goal! Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Iker Kortajarena Canellada.
Corner awarded.
VAR decision results in the cancellation of the penalty for Iker Kortajarena Canellada.
Iker Kortajarena Canellada attempts a header but misses the shot.
Penalty saved! Iker Kortajarena Canellada's attempt is unsuccessful.
Abdulrahman Al-Dosari comes on for Julien Domingues.
Substitution: Clayton Diandy comes on for Hattan Bahebri.
Enzo Millot takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Coba Gomez da Costa takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Enzo Millot takes a left-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Julien Domingues takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
Corner awarded.
Enzo Millot takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Adil Boulbina takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Berat Djimsiti attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Iker Kortajarena Canellada takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Shot - Iker Kortajarena Canellada Head Shot Missed
Corner awarded.
Darwin Gabriel Nunez Ribeiro takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Kick-off! The referee is Mohammed Al Esmaiel.
Al Draih host Al Kholood at Al-Awwal Park on Wednesday looking to bounce back from their opening-day defeat, while the visitors arrive unbeaten and in confident mood after a strong start to the new Pro League campaign. With both sides still finding their feet in the early season, this clash could prove a pivotal momentum-builder for either team.
