Al-Ittihad’s lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League was reduced to five points after a dramatic 1-1 draw away to Al-Khaleej on Wednesday. A stoppage-time penalty, converted by Konstantinos Fortounis, rescued a point for the home side and dented Al-Ittihad’s title charge.
The result provides a glimmer of hope for chasing rivals Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Qadsiah, all of whom secured victories on Tuesday. With 12 games remaining, the title race remains open.
Al-Ittihad, fresh from a resounding 4-1 victory over Al-Hilal in the “Saudi El Clasico” and boasting four consecutive wins, were expected to continue their winning streak against ninth-placed Al-Khaleej. However, they encountered a resilient and defensively organized opponent.
The first half was a frustrating affair for the visitors. Al-Khaleej sat deep, limiting Al-Ittihad’s space, while still posing a threat on the counter-attack. Al-Khaleej had two penalty appeals turned down midway through the half, the first for a potential handball by Hassan Kadesh, the second minutes later. Neither incident resulted in VAR intervention. Karim Benzema came closest to scoring for Al-Ittihad in first-half stoppage time, his low free-kick forcing a save from Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.
The second half saw Al-Ittihad increase their attacking intensity. Their persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute. Fawaz Al-Saqour, played in by Moussa Diaby, reached the byline and squared the ball for Abdulrahman Al-Oboud to tap in from close range.
However, Al-Ittihad’s joy was short-lived. In the sixth minute of added time, Al-Khaleej were awarded a penalty, and Fortounis calmly converted, securing a dramatic draw and dealing a blow to Al-Ittihad’s title aspirations.
In other action on Wednesday, Al-Ettifaq defeated Al-Taawoun 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Gini Wijnaldum. The win, their third in four games since the departure of manager Steven Gerrard, moves them up to seventh in the league.
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