Al-Hilal and Al-Qadisiyah draw 2-2: Match highlights and refereeing controversy
The 19th round of the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League) witnessed a fiery encounter between Al-Hilal and Al-Qadisiyah at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, ending in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The excitement wasn't limited to the four goals scored; it extended to a widespread refereeing controversy that ignited social media and dominated the sports scene after the final whistle.
Match details and goal scenarios
The match began at a fast pace, with Portuguese player Ruben Neves opening the scoring for Al-Hilal early in the eighth minute. Al-Qadisiyah quickly responded through Nahitan Nandez in the tenth minute. In the second half, Al-Qadisiyah took the lead with a goal from Julian Quiñones in the seventy-sixth minute, before star player Salem Al-Dawsari rescued Al-Hilal by scoring a dramatic equalizer in the ninetieth minute, ensuring the two teams shared the points.
Arbitration controversy and the phrase "receipt... in good faith"
Following the match, Al-Qadisiyah's management expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the decisions of Brazilian referee Rafael Claus. The club's official Twitter account posted a widely shared tweet, exceeding one million views, containing the phrase "Received... in good faith," accompanied by three images illustrating what the management described as a foul committed by Al-Hilal's defender against Al-Qadisiyah's striker, Nandez, inside the penalty area. They demanded a penalty kick that was not awarded, and the referee did not consult VAR, sparking a wave of discussions among analysts and fans.
Rodgers' statements and pride in the performance
For his part, Al-Qadisiyah coach Rodgers expressed his immense pride in his players' performance, emphasizing that his team delivered a high-level tactical display against the league leaders and one of the strongest teams on the continent. Rodgers pointed out that small details and refereeing decisions proved decisive, explaining that Al-Hilal's second goal came after controversial incidents, and calling for refereeing teams whose quality matches the level of competition in the Saudi league.
The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League
This match comes amidst the tremendous development witnessed in the Saudi Professional League, where competition is no longer limited to the traditional powerhouses. Al-Qadisiyah's performance, bolstered by international signings, demonstrates that the technical gap is narrowing and the battle for Asian Champions League qualification spots is becoming increasingly fierce. This draw reflects the rising market and technical value of the league, where every match has become a high-stakes affair demanding the utmost concentration from both players and referees.
Impact of the result on the standings table
With this result, Al-Hilal maintained their lead in the standings with 46 points, preserving their strong record in their title defense, while Al-Qadisiyah raised their tally to 40 points, temporarily consolidating their fourth-place position. This point is a morale boost for Al-Qadisiyah in their fight to secure an Asian Champions League spot, while it serves as a warning to Al-Hilal to be cautious in the upcoming rounds to maintain their lead over their pursuers.
