Al-Ittihad secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Al-Orubah on Thursday night, April 10th, extending their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to eight points and increasing the pressure on defending champions Al-Hilal. Goals late in each half from Unai Hernández and Abdulrahman Al-Oboud sealed the win, which was only Al-Ittihad’s second in their last five league outings.
The Jeddah giants, while not at their most fluent, controlled the match against an Al-Orubah side struggling near the relegation zone. Karim Benzema had an early effort ruled out for offside, but the breakthrough came in the seventh minute of first-half added time. Fabinho found Unai Hernández, and the Spanish midfielder, signed from Barcelona in January, unleashed a powerful shot into the top corner from distance for his first goal for the club.
Al-Orubah striker Omar Al-Somah posed a threat for the visitors but failed to find the target.
Al-Ittihad faced a potential setback six minutes from time when talisman Karim Benzema was withdrawn after appearing to pick up an injury. However, any nerves among the home fans in Jeddah were eased two minutes later. Moussa Diaby set up Abdulrahman Al-Oboud on the edge of the area; his initial shot was saved by Gaetan Coucke, but the winger reacted quickest to slot home the rebound and secure the victory.
The win takes Al-Ittihad to 65 points. Second-placed Al-Hilal, on 57 points, are now under pressure to respond when they face Al-Ettifaq on Friday, April 11th.
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