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Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Al Khaleej earned their first Roshn Saudi League win since the opening weekend, defeating Al Kholood 1-0 on Friday in Dammam, courtesy of a 66th-minute strike by Abdullah Al Salem.
Despite a slow start to the season, Al Khaleej managed to bounce back after earning just one point in their last four matches. The home side nearly took the lead in the 25th minute when Khaled Narey’s header from a Konstantinos Fortounis corner was brilliantly saved by Marcelo Grohe. Fortounis later came close himself, only for Grohe to deny him once again with a spectacular save.
The decisive moment came in the 66th minute when captain Fabio Martins found Pedro Rebocho on the overlap, and the left-back’s low cross was converted by Al Salem. Although Martins thought he had added a second minutes later, his goal was ruled out for offside.
The victory moves Al Khaleej out of the relegation zone, with a tough match against Al Ahli next, while Al Kholood remain in 16th place and will face bottom-side Al Fateh after the international break.
Al Riyadh claimed a 2-1 win over Al Qadsiah at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City on Friday, with Iraqi winger Ibrahim Bayesh continuing his strong start to the season.
Al Qadsiah came into the match buoyed by their recent victory over Al Ahli, but it was Al Riyadh who opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Lucas Kal, set up by Toze, drilled a shot from the edge of the area past goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
Al Riyadh doubled their lead before the hour mark when Yoan Barbet’s header was finished by Bayesh from close range. Al Qadsiah managed to pull one back through Abdulaziz Al Othman in the 78th minute, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Al Riyadh from securing a crucial three points. Both teams now sit on 10 points, with Al Riyadh breaking into the top six.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou’s third goal of the season helped Damac secure a 1-0 win over Al Shabab, marking their second victory of the campaign.
Senegal forward Habib Diallo had a great chance to score against his former club, but a heroic block from defender Nader Al Sharari kept the game level. Al Shabab goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made several key saves in the first half, but he was left red-faced when N’Koudou’s tame shot slipped through his hands in the second half.
Cristian Guanca nearly equalized for Al Shabab with a curling free-kick, but it narrowly missed the target, allowing Damac to hold on for the win. Al Shabab remain third in the standings with 12 points, missing the chance to go level with leaders Al Hilal.
