Latest news with #AlOrobah
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.
Saudi Gazette
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Nassr awarded win in Rafea Al-Ruwaili case, final AFC Elite spot now up for grabs
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Sports Arbitration Center has ruled in favor of Al Nassr in the eligibility case involving Al Orobah goalkeeper Rafea Al-Ruwaili, awarding Al Nassr a 3-0 victory and three points for their disputed February fixture in the Saudi Pro League. The ruling, issued Sunday, overturned the original 2-1 result in favor of Al Orobah. Al Nassr had filed an official protest over Al-Ruwaili's participation, presenting what the arbitration panel deemed compelling evidence of ineligibility. The decision carries major ramifications ahead of the final round of fixtures on May 26. Al Nassr's points tally rises from 67 to 70, moving them into third place and keeping alive their hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League Elite — Asia's top-tier continental competition. Al Orobah, on the other hand, drop to 27 points and are now mathematically relegated, even if they win their final ruling has set up a dramatic final-day showdown between Riyadh rivals Al Hilal and Al Nassr, with only two direct qualification spots to the AFC Elite League up for grabs through league Hilal, second with 72 points, can secure qualification by defeating Al Qadsiah or drawing — provided Al Nassr do not win.A loss by Al Hilal would open the door for Al Nassr to leapfrog them, should they beat Al Fateh and reach 73 Nassr, now third, must win and hope Al Hilal either draw or lose to claim second place and Elite Qadsiah, currently outside the top four, can qualify only by winning the King's Cup final or beating Al Hilal combined with an Al Nassr Arabia will send three teams directly to the AFC Champions League Elite, while a fourth team will compete in the newly created AFC Champions League final day promises high-stakes drama as Al Hilal and Al Nassr fans follow their team's match — and their rival's — with every whistle potentially rewriting the both clubs boasting historic rivalries and huge fanbases, the tension is set to reach fever Hilal controls its own fate, but Al Nassr — boosted by the arbitration ruling — has renewed belief that their season could end on a high the ruling effectively ends Al Orobah's short-lived campaign in the top flight, with relegation now confirmed following the point deduction.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Three clubs fighting relegation in SPL Roshn League's final round
RIYADH: Three clubs — Al-Wehda, Al-Akhdood and Al-Orobah — will be fighting relegation during the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League) final round on Monday with matches being played simultaneously. Two out of the three clubs will join Al-Raed, who have already been relegated to the first division. As things stand, Al-Wehda is in 15th place with 33 points, Al-Akhdood is in 16th place with 31 points and Al-Orobah is in 17th place with 30 points. Al-Wehda will stay in the league if they win or draw against Al-Ettifaq in Dammam. A loss means they will need both Al-Akhdood and Al-Orobah to also lose or draw. Al-Akhdood must beat Al-Khaleej and hope that Al-Wehda lose, as that would keep Al-Akhdood in the SPL for another new season. Al-Orobah has the most difficult task. They need to beat Al-Taawoun in Al-Jouf and then hope that both Al-Wehda and Al-Akhdood lose. If that happens, Al-Orobah will move above Al-Akhdood in points and tie with Al-Wehda. In that case, Al-Orobah would survive because they have a better head-to-head record against Al-Wehda — losing the first match 2–1 but winning the second 4–2.
Arab News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Al-Hilal host Al-Orobah at Kingdom Arena
RIYADH: Al-Hilal host Al-Orobah in a first meeting between the two sides at the Kingdom Arena at 7:05pm today, Monday, as part of Round 31 of the Saudi Pro League (Roshn League). For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Both teams head into the match looking to extend their winning streaks — Al-Hilal defeated Al-Raed 5-3, while Al-Orobah overcame Al-Riyadh 4-2 in the previous round. The two sides have previously faced off five times in the Pro League, with no matches ending in a draw. Al-Hilal won four of those encounters, while Al-Orobah claimed one victory. In their most recent clash, which took place at Al-Jouf University Stadium in Round 13 of the first half of the season, Al-Hilal recorded their largest-ever win over Al-Orobah, scoring five goals. Interim Al-Hilal coach Mohammed Al-Shalhoub aims to secure all three points and maintain pressure on league leaders Al-Ittihad, who currently sit six points ahead. He is expected to rely on the same lineup that faced Al-Raed, with the return of Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo. On the other side, Al-Orobah's Spanish coach Antonio Cazorla hopes to win and move away from the relegation zone, counting on key players including Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah, Spaniard Cristian Tello, and Jordanian defender Muhannad Abu Taha. Al-Hilal currently sit second in the league table with 65 points, while Al-Orobah is in 16th place with 30 points. And at 9:00pm Al-Okhdood's football team will be aiming for their first-ever victory over Al-Nassr at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran. The two teams have met three times in the Pro League, with Al-Nassr winning all three matches. Al-Okhdood is now seeking their first victory against the Yellow team in the top flight. Al-Okhdood currently sit in 17th place — second from bottom — with 28 points, and is fighting to avoid relegation. The team will be missing one of its key players, Brazilian midfielder Petros Matheus, due to injury. On the other hand, Al-Nassr is in fourth place in the league table with 60 points and is looking to bounce back from a 3-2 home defeat to Al-Ittihad in the previous round. It's worth noting that the first-leg match between the two sides ended in a 3-1 victory for Al-Nassr, with Sadio Mane scoring twice and Cristiano Ronaldo adding a goal, while Saviour Godwin scored Al-Okhdood's goal.
Al Arabiya
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
SPL Week 27: Al Ittihad goes 7 points clear as Ronaldo inspires Al Nassr comeback
The Saudi Pro League is now home to some of football's most recognizable names, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang putting the competition on the global football map. Each week, Al Arabiya English brings you the key storylines and highlights in the race for the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League title. In Week 27, Al Ittihad beat Al Orobah to extend its lead at the top of the table to seven points as chief rival Al Hilal could only manage a 1-1 draw with Al Ettifaq. Elsewhere, Al Nassr closed in on second-placed Al Hilal thanks to a come-from-behind victory over Al Riyadh, while Al Ahli returned to winning ways and Al Qadsiah fell to a surprising defeat. Al Ittihad moves seven points clear After drawing four of its past five games, Al Ittihad's Saudi Pro League title challenge was put back on track thanks to a 2-0 win over Al Orobah. There have been many nervy moments for the champion-elect in recent weeks but it produced a professional display in Jeddah as late goals in each half – from Unai Hernandez and Abdulrahman Alobud – gave Al Ittihad a deserved victory. After fighting back twice to draw with Al Ahli in last week's Jeddah derby, Laurent Blanc's side had a slightly more serene evening on Thursday. Al Ittihad was initially frustrated, however, as Al Orobah's Belgium goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke produced a virtuoso individual display – twice thwarting Karim Benzema, while also denying Danilo and Abdulelah al-Amri with a series of impressive saves. Coucke's heroics deserved a half-time clean sheet but in the seventh minute of stoppage time, ex-Barcelona midfielder Hernandez struck an unstoppable effort into the roof of the Al Orobah net from 25 yards out. It was a stunning way for the 20-year-old to score his first goal for Al Ittihad. Coucke continued his strong evening with superb saves from Houssem Aouar and Saleh al-Shehri after the interval but in the 88th minute, Saudi midfielder Alobud put the result beyond doubt as he finished at the second time of asking after Al Orobah's keeper blocked his initial effort. The 2-0 victory at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium saw Al Ittihad extend its lead over second-placed Al Hilal to seven points – after its chief title rival was held to a 1-1 draw at Al Ettifaq. Al Hilal held by Al Ettifaq Al Hilal faltered again as the reigning champion's Saudi Pro League title seems to be slipping further from its grasp. Jorge Jesus' side only failed to win three games in the entirety of last season's unbeaten title triumph but Friday night's 1-1 draw with Al Ettifaq was the ninth time in 2024-25 that it has dropped points – leaving Al Hilal seven points behind Al Ittihad and with a mountain to climb if it is to retain the championship. Having suffered a derby defeat to Riyadh rival Al Nassr last week, Al Hilal was looking to immediately bounce back. But it faced a stubborn Al Ettifaq side that has enjoyed a resurgence since Saad al-Shehri replaced Steven Gerrard as coach back in January. Al Ettifaq took the lead right on the stroke of half-time when tricky playmaker Alvaro Medran was fouled on the edge of the box. The subsequent free-kick fell to João Costa 30 yards from goal and the Portugal U20 winger hit a speculative left-foot effort from distance that thundered past Al Hilal goalkeeper Bono into the bottom corner of the goal. Al Hilal had the half-time interval to regroup and came out with renewed intent for the second 45. In the 56th minute, Brazilian left-back Renan Lodi evaded the Al Ettifaq offside trap before pulling the ball back for compatriot Malcom to slot home. It was Malcom's eighth Saudi Pro League goal of the season, and Lodi's sixth assist. Al Hilal had a great chance to win the match 10 minutes later as João Cancelo found Aleksandar Mitrovic unmarked inside the penalty box – but the Serbian uncharacteristically fired over. The defeat leaves Al Hilal hanging desperately onto Al Ittihad's coattails and now hoping for multiple slip-ups between now and the end of the season. Ronaldo inspires al Nassr fightback For the second time in a week, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace to lead Al Nassr to victory. On this occasion, Ronaldo's double intervention helped Stefano Pioli's side come back from a goal down to beat Al RIyadh 2-1. The win took Nassr to within a point of second-placed Al Hilal, against whom it claimed a morale-boosting Riyadh derby triumph last week. While that was arguably Al Nassr's best performance of the season, Ronaldo and Co were a little slower out of the blocks on Saturday night. Jhon Duran spurned one early chance but it was the only notable attempt of a forgettable first half that ended with visiting Al Riyadh taking the lead in stoppage time. Left-back Ali al-Khaibari advanced through midfield and struck an optimistic effort from distance, forcing a save from Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento. The Brazilian's team-mates were slow to react but Al Riyadh's Faïz Selemani wasn't; the Comoros international slid home the opening goal, his first in the Pro League since November 1 – 14 games ago. Al Nassr regrouped at the interval and 10 minutes into the second half, Ronaldo – just as he did against Al Hilal last week – took the game by the scruff of the neck. The Portuguese superstar tapped home at close range from Sadio Mane's cross and, eight minutes later, fired Al Nassr into the lead. Mane's good work down the left created the opportunity as his cross was cleared away to the edge of the penalty area; Ronaldo was waiting there, 20 yards out, to volley the ball back past Al Riyadh goalkeeper Milan Borjan and into the roof of the net. It was Ronaldo's most spectacular strike of another prolific season – one in which he appears destined to win back-to-back Saudi Pro League Golden Boot awards. He is now three clear of closest challenger Abderrazak Hamdallah of Al Shabab, and six ahead of Karim Benzema, Ivan Toney and Marcos Leonardo. Ronaldo's contribution once again proved decisive with the score staying at 2-1 until the end. There was a late red card for Al Riyadh defender Ahmed Asiri, who was adjudged to have hit out at Al Nassr striker Duran in added time. Best of the rest Al Ahli secured its first Saudi Pro League win since February after beating bottom-of-the-table Al Raed 2-0. Matthias Jaissle's side had gone four league games without victory but returned to winning ways thanks to a goal in each half from Franck Kessie and Gabri Veiga. Kessie converted from the spot after right-back Ali Majrashi was felled in the penalty area, before Veiga poked home Al Ahli's second – his sixth Pro League goal of the season – to confirm the three points. Al Raed is now six points adrift of safety as it bids to avoid demotion to the Saudi First Division. Al Shabab remained in the hunt for an AFC Champions League qualifying spot as it beat Al Kholood 2-0 in Mecca. In-form Cristian Guanca opened the scoring; the Argentine midfielder has now contributed eight goals and nine assists in his past 10 games. Guanca's team-mate Abderrazak Hamdallah has also been prolific of late and he converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to score his 20th goal of the season and 148th Saudi Pro League goal of his career. Al Shabab is now just three points behind fifth-placed Al Qadsiah. Al Fateh claimed a significant 5-1 victory at Al Khaleej to move out of the Saudi Pro League relegation zone. The host took the lead after four minutes through Dimitrios Kourbelis but a fruitful eight-minute spell either side of half-time guided Fateh to victory. Matias Vargas leveled in the 44th minute and then shortly after the interval Mourad Batna and Amine Sbai scored in quick succession to put Al Fateh out of sight. A Sofiane Bendebka penalty and second for Vargas completed the rout, which was Fateh's biggest win of the season so far; José Gomes' side is now in 14th place, two points clear of the dropzone. Like Fateh, Al Fayha has enjoyed a remarkable ascent up the table in recent months. A fellow struggler in January, Al Fayha is now 12th after winning five, drawing five and losing just two of its past 12 games. The latest victory came against AFC Champions League-chasing Al Qadsiah on Saturday night as a brace from Renzo Lopez inspired Fayha to a 2-1 win in Riyadh. Lopez's two goals – his fifth and sixth Pro League goals of the season – were enough, with Julián Quiñones' late goal only proving a consolation. Ten-man Damac fell to its fifth defeat in seven games as Al Wehda claimed a vital 1-0 win in its bid for Saudi Pro League survival. Damac has dropped off in the second half of this season, winning just once in 10 games since the end of January. Al Wehda capitalized on the host being reduced to 10 men after Abdelkader Bedrane saw red on 35 minutes, with Juninho Bacuna snatching a winning goal early in the second half. Al Wehda is just three points behind 15th-placed Al Orobah as the relegation battle looks set to go down to the wire again. Al Taawoun has been battling valiantly on two fronts this season and is now just one match away from reaching the AFC Champions League 2 final. But the team's league form has tended to suffer after playing matches in Asia and it happened again in a 1-1 draw against struggling Al Akhdoud. Christian Bassogog put Al Akhdoud ahead just seven minutes in but Al Taawoun at least managed to stay in the game and eventually grabbed an equalizer through Saudi midfielder Sultan Mandash.
