RIYADH: The 2022 Saudi Professional League ended with plenty of action and here are five things we learned from Arab News.
Ronaldo comes to the leaders of the league
Al-Nassr won 1-0 at strugglers Al-Khaleej to end 2022 as league leaders, and sit one point above Al-Shabab, who have played a game less.
The decisive fifth-minute strike by Vincent Aboubaker, a fine diving header from one of the league’s top strikers that won the game, didn’t get much attention in the spotlight.
The whole conversation was about a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. There are going to be many more in the days, weeks and months to come.
It could be that the Portuguese star, always fit and ready to go, plays his first club game outside Europe on Thursday at home to Al-Taye.
A huge crowd is expected to welcome one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
It remains to be seen how the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star will fit into the team but there is no doubt he is joining a team that has what it takes to win titles.
The race will have rivals watching with trepidation and wondering what the forward, who scored 18 goals in the English Premier League last season, can do in Saudi Arabia.
It’s going to be quite a ride.
muddy al-hilal slipped
During their title win last season, there were many occasions when Al-Hilal won games and won points at the death with a never-say-die attitude.
However, in a 2–2 draw at Damask, the opposite happened.
It started off very well. The champions were ahead from the get-go and Odion Ighalo slotted in a worthy opener seven minutes before the break.
Luciano Vietto doubled the lead from short range and the points looked to be in the bag. Even when Abdullah Al-Shamri pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining, there was no need to panic.
Then two things happened. World Cup hero Saleh Al-Shehri first missed one of the easiest chances, failing to score when only inches out, and then in injury time, goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf dropped the ball And it fell to Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani, who got a point for DAMAC. The champions were dissuaded and reminded that mistakes are punished in this league.
Al-Ittihad makes big save
Al-Ittihad won 2–1 in Abha and, as expected against a team that had won their last five games, it was a tough and tough encounter, but one that showed their fighting spirit.
Abderrazak Hamdallah was on the scoresheet again with an opportunistic opening goal after only 20 minutes, and when Romarinho scored two early in the second half from close range, it seemed the game was over, especially for coach Nuno Santo. Under, Jeddah Giants had conceded just two goals in nine league games.
But then the aura came back in front of a large crowd in the sun. Goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe saved a penalty that would have gone in, helping Abha secure a draw as they netted through Saleh Al-Amri 18 minutes from time.
As it was, the Tigers walked away with the win. Other players of this star-studded team often make headlines, but this time the praise should go to the goalkeeper who saved his team two points.
Al-Shabab bounces back
A 3–0 win over Attifaq restored Al-Shabab’s place at the top of the table for at least 24 hours, but more importantly it marked a much-needed return to winning ways.
The 4-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Fateh on the resumption of league action last week was a surprise for a team that had won just twice in their last eight games.
It was vital then that Vicente Moreno’s men made a quick comeback and did not let the blip falter. And they did exactly that against an Ettifaq side that had conceded only six goals before meeting Al-Shabab.
In rainy Riyadh, the hosts could have won by more, and they did not look in danger once Shanti Mina put them ahead midway through the first half.
Iago Santos was fired in at the far post for a corner just before the break and that was it, apart from a late own goal.
It was a case of results being more important than performance, but both were exactly what Al-Shabaab needed.
Title race shaping up well
Al-Hilal’s slip-up means they have dropped to fifth, but they are just four points behind leaders and rivals Al-Nassr.
Anyone who doesn’t remember how the champions clawed back double-digit deficits last season would count them out at this early stage; Anything can happen.
It is unlikely that fourth-placed Al-Tawoon will be able to stay the course and top the table at the end of the season, with the other four in the top four following a thrilling 3-2 win over Al-Raed. All five have genuine ambitions to lift the trophy.
As always, mindset will be just as important as ability on the pitch. Al-Hilal have been here many times before and have the strongest squad, but both Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad are desperate for a title after years without honour, and look really good.
Al-Nasr is on top and a certain megastar has arrived to bolster his ranks. The title race is shaping up to be another roller coaster ride.