In an exciting football match held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, Al-Qadisiyah secured a hard-fought and valuable 1-0 victory over visiting Neom in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This win reaffirms Al-Qadisiyah's determination to continue competing for a top spot, capitalizing on home advantage and the support of their fans in a highly competitive encounter.
Match details and missed opportunities
The match witnessed a fierce tactical battle between the two coaches from the opening minutes, with each side attempting to impose their control in midfield. Al-Qadisiyah began the game with intense attacking pressure, seeking an early goal to unsettle the visitors. Italian international striker Matteo Rettigny nearly opened the scoring with a dangerous shot, but the post came to the rescue of the Neom goalkeeper, denying the home side an early lead. This added to the excitement of the match, which remained goalless until the final minutes.
Nandez's late goal seals the points
As the match seemed destined for a goalless draw, and just when everyone thought the two teams would share the points, Uruguayan star Nahitan Nández emerged to play the hero. In the fourth minute of stoppage time (90+4), Nández scored the decisive winning goal, sparking wild celebrations in the Al-Qadisiyah stands and dealing a crushing blow to Neom's hopes of securing a draw.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this strategic victory, Al-Qadisiyah continued their strong performances this season, securing their fourteenth win in the competition and raising their points tally to 47. This strengthens their position in the standings and keeps them in the hunt for the top spots. Conversely, Neom's situation worsened as they suffered their ninth defeat of the season, leaving them stuck on 28 points. This puts the coaching staff and players under immense pressure to get back on track in the upcoming rounds to avoid slipping further down the table.
The importance of winning and the context of the competition
This victory holds special significance for Al-Qadisiyah, not only because of the three points, but also because it came against an ambitious team like Neom, reflecting the strong character the team has built this season and its ability to be decisive in crucial moments. This match comes within the context of the significant development witnessed in the Saudi Professional League, where matches have become highly competitive and closely matched thanks to international recruitment and the substantial support for the sports sector in the Kingdom. This has made every round a pivotal one for the competing teams, whether at the top or in the middle of the standings.
