In a dramatic football match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, Al-Ettifaq FC secured a hard-fought and thrilling 4-3 victory over Al-Najma FC. This epic encounter took place last night at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Buraidah, as part of the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League (Roshan League), and featured a high-scoring affair reflecting both teams' desire to improve their standings in the league table.
Match details and exciting scenario
The match began with Al-Ettifaq clearly dominating, capitalizing on an own goal by Al-Najma's Al-Halil in the 27th minute, which disrupted the home side's plans. Al-Ettifaq continued their attacking pressure, with Moussa Dembélé adding a second goal in the 39th minute, before Calvo scored a third in the 42nd minute, ending the first half with a comfortable lead for the visitors.
In the second half, it seemed Al-Ettifaq were headed for a resounding victory after Calvo scored his second and his team's fourth goal in the 59th minute. However, Al-Najma refused to give up and rallied in the final third of the match, attempting a historic comeback. Al-Tulaihi narrowed the gap with a goal in the 72nd minute, followed quickly by Jassim's second goal in the 73rd minute, reigniting the match. Lazaro then increased the tension by scoring Al-Najma's third goal in the 87th minute, making for a tense final few minutes for Al-Ettifaq's defense, who ultimately managed to hold on for their valuable win.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this important victory, Al-Ettifaq raised its points tally to 22, temporarily climbing to seventh place in the Roshan League standings. This win is a significant step for the Eastern Province team as they move closer to competing for continental qualification spots, and it confirms the team's attacking prowess despite some defensive lapses in the final minutes.
On the other hand, Al-Najma's situation has deteriorated significantly, as their points tally remains at a mere two, leaving them languishing in 18th and last place. This loss places even more pressure on the coaching staff and players, as the team urgently needs to reassess its tactics and correct its course to avoid the specter of early relegation, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season and the improved performance of all the clubs.
General context and competitiveness of the Saudi League
This match underscores the remarkable progress of the Saudi Professional League, where no match is a foregone conclusion and the technical gap between teams on the pitch is narrowing, regardless of points. The high-scoring affair (7 goals) demonstrates the attacking style that has become a hallmark of the league's clubs, further enhancing the marketing and technical value of the competition, which has garnered global attention.
