Ronaldo’s Al Nassr make it four wins in a row, Tawamba double downs Al Hazem.

After Al Nassr’s Ronaldo secures four consecutive victories, Tawamba doubles downs. Hazem Al HazemSlovakian head coach Martin Sevela led Al Okhdood to a crucial 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Al Hazem in their inaugural meeting in the Roshn Saudi League. Leandre Tawamba scored twice in the victory.

The host team scored first with twenty minutes remaining on the clock, demonstrating their early assurance. Tawamba was positioned to receive a flawless cross from defender Hamad Al Mansour, who was assisted by a raking long-range pass; Tawamba’s header was then agonizingly fumbled into the net by Al Hazem goalkeeper Ibrahim Zaid.Al Okhdood’s danger man, Cameroonian Tawamba, should have performed significantly better when he was identified by strike partner Saviour Godwin late in the first half. His timid strike merely ricocheted wide. Just after the hour mark, Al defender Al Mansour received a straight red card, reducing the hosts to ten men and leaving them with an uphill battle to secure the points.

Notwithstanding Al Okhdood’s numerical disadvantage, it was seasoned attacker Tawamba who delivered a moment of brilliance in the match’s 91st minute. The number nine was the recipient of a long pass from Florin Tanase, and his long-range right-footed shot evaded goalkeeper Zaid, who was well outside his area of responsibility. Al Hazem were not consoled by a late consolation from Tozé, as Al Okhdood earned only their third victory of the RSL season.Al Ettifaq and Al Fayha divide the proceeds.

Saturday evening found the Al Fayha and Al Ettifaq teams frozen at 0-0.

Al Fayha created the finest opportunity of the first half when Zambian Fashion Sakala demonstrated a good turn of speed, only to slash a shot narrowly past the back post in a game that lacked a clinical edge. Al Ettifaq struggled to create scoring opportunities early in the match and were relegated to long range attempts in the opening half; Georginio Wijnaldum missed both opportunities.The host team increased their intensity in the second half and, barring the woodwork, should have taken the lead. Sakala made every effort, including testing round-up goalkeeper Paulo Victor, but his strike shattered against the post. Anthony Nwakaeme came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 83rd minute when a corner fell to him with the goal at his discretion; however, his left-footed volley painfully splattered off the crossbar.

The outcome is inconsequential for both teams: Al Fayha remain in eighth place and Al Ettifaq maintain seventh place, two points clear of the group from Al Majmaah, due to the draw.

Ronaldo once more impresses as Al Nassr earn their fourth consecutive RSL victory.Away at Al Wehda, Al Nassr defeated Al Hilal 3–1 to enter the international break only four points behind league leaders Al Hilal. Alex Telles’s exquisite free-kick set the tone for the Riyadh-based team, but it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s thirteenth goal of the season that decided the match.

The visitors took the lead in the eleventh minute on account of Telles’s astute decision-making. Amidst the presence of team-mates Anderson Talisca and Ronaldo observing a free-kick, it was the defender who promptly seized the opportunity and curled his shot into the lower corner, thereby causing Al Wehda goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi to be anchored to the ground.Mohamedi was immediately called into action after making a commendable save to block Sadio Mane’s close-range header. Al Nassr, who were bolstered by a vociferous away crowd at the King Abdulaziz Sport City, maintained their pressure and justifiably led 2-0 just prior to halftime. Marcelo Brozovic received a quick corner kick; central defender Abdulelah Al Amri met his cross to the back post with a towering header that clipped the frame before crossing the line.

Head coach Georgios Donis will be dissatisfied with Al Wehda’s series of errors, which resulted in Al Nassr’s third goal of the evening, despite the team’s continued patient passing. Oscar Duarte’s error in clearance was intercepted by Waleed Bakshween, who incorrectly assessed his header intended for goalkeeper Mohamedi. Cristiano stole in and converted his thirteenth goal in twelve RSL appearances this season.Despite a consoling header by Brazilian playmaker Anselmo in the 81st minute for the hosts, the game was essentially over as Al Nassr recorded their sixth consecutive RSL victory.