Latest news with #AlOkhdood
Saudi Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Okhdood pull off stunning comeback to survive, as Al Wehda, Al Orobah, and Al Raed relegated
Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — In one of the most dramatic survival stories in Saudi Pro League history, Al Okhdood staged a sensational 3-2 comeback against Al Khaleej on Monday night to escape relegation by a single point — condemning Al Wehda, Al Orobah, and Al Raed to the drop. Al Khaleej had raced to a 2-0 lead with goals from Kostas Fortounis in the 47th and 60th minutes, seemingly sending Al Okhdood to the First Division. But the Najran-based side launched a remarkable fightback, beginning with a strike from Muhannad Al Faydi in the 65th minute. Substitute Saleh Al Abbas leveled the score in the first minute of stoppage time before Mohammad Naif completed the great escape with a dramatic winner in the 105th minute. The victory lifted Al Okhdood to 34 points, one ahead of Al Wehda, who fell 2-1 to Al Ettifaq and ended their campaign in now join Al Raed (21 points) and Al Orobah (27 points) as the three teams relegated to the First Division in the evening, Al Orobah had managed a 3-2 win over Al Taawoun but had already been mathematically relegated after losing their eligibility protest regarding goalkeeper Rafea Al decision handed Al Nassr three points and extinguished Al Orobah's slim hopes of Al Raed capped their disappointing season with a 2-1 loss to Al Kholood, finishing at the bottom of the table with just 21 points.
The National
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Sadio Mane hits four as Al Nassr win 9-0 without Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Nassr went on a goalscoring spree on Monday night, recording their biggest ever win in the absence of legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese veteran, who was rested for the game, might lead the Saudi Pro League goalscoring charts with 23 strikes but missed the chance to fill his boots as 10-man Al Okhdood were put to the sword 9-0 by the Riyadh giants. Instead, it was former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane who stole the show with a four-goal haul. Nassr's title hopes are already over for another season with Al Ittihad on the brink of glory, but this big win kept alive their slim chances of securing a return to the Asian Champions League Elite. Al Nassr currently occupy third which would normally be good enough for automatic qualification, but with fifth-place Al Ahli set to return as defending champions, only the league's top two sides are guaranteed places in the 2025-26 competition. That leaves Nassr facing the unlikely scenario of having to make up a five-point gap to second-place Al Hilal across the final three games of the campaign. Ronaldo, who is yet to agree fresh terms to remain a Nassr player next season, could only look on as they posted a club record win at relegation-threatened Okhdood. Stefano Pioli's side dominated from the start and the floodgates opened once Ayman Yahya grabbed Nassr's first in the 16th minute. Colombian star Jhon Duran and Croatian veteran Marcelo Brozovic both notched to extend their lead before the half-hour mark. Mane then scored the fourth of the night from the penalty spot for Pioli's side after Nawaf Boushal had been felled inside the box. Already four down heading into the second half, Okhdood's woes increased when goalkeeper Paulo Vitor was dismissed for a professional foul on Otavio. Duran, deployed as a central striker in Ronaldo's absence, grabbed his second and Al Nassr's fifth before Mane flickered into life with two quick goals to reach his hat-trick. The Senegalese then got his fourth to give Pioli's side an 8-0 lead before Mohammed Maran scored a penalty in injury time to complete the rout. Defending champions Al Hilal delayed handing over their crown to Al Ittihad for a few days at least as they notched a routine 4-0 win over Al Orobah on Monday. Hilal, who have been making headlines off the pitch, eased to victory thanks Aleksandar Mitrovic's first-half strike, a goal from captain Salem Al Dawsari and a late brace from Brazilian youngster Kaio Cesar. Hilal, who dispensed with the services of Jorge Jesus after falling behind in the title race and a poor season in Asian competition, have been heavily linked with a move for Fulham manager Marco Silva. Silva, whose Cottagers side have had a strong campaign despite a recent dip in form, is reported to be the front-runner to replace Jesus. The Riyadh club are also rumoured to be weighing up a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian, who has scored 33 goals in 37 games on loan at Galatasaray this season, has a release clause of €75 million for non-Italian clubs. Hilal are six points behind Al Ittihad with three games to play. Laurent Blanc's Ittihad visit already relegated Al Raed on Thursday night with Hilal away at Al Fateh 24 hours later.
