DAMMAM: Al-Qadsiah continued their impressive run under Brendan Rodgers, recording a 10th win in 13 matches under the Northern Irishman with a thrilling victory on Matchday 23 of the Saudi Pro League.
The hosts started brightly and nearly took the lead inside the opening minute. Within 52 seconds, Nahitan Nandez fired two shots following a mistake from goalkeeper Samuel, but Mohanad Al-Qaydhi and Koray Gunter produced successive goal-line clearances to deny him.
Nandez threatened again in the seventh minute after a slick move down the left involving Christopher Bonsu Baah and Musab Al-Juwayr, but Samuel redeemed himself with a smart save.
The Brazilian goalkeeper endured a mixed evening. While he produced several key saves, a series of costly errors proved decisive.
Julian Quinones thought he had opened the scoring in the 13th minute after capitalising on a Samuel mistake, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Turki Al-Ammar in the build-up.
Samuel’s struggles continued in the 29th minute when he parried Quinones’ shot straight into the path of Mateo Retegui, though the Italian failed to convert from close range. Five minutes later, Retegui’s header slipped through the goalkeeper’s grasp, struck the crossbar and fell kindly for Quinones, who controlled the ball on his chest before finishing into the empty net.
Al-Okhdood responded within 10 minutes, as Christian Bassogog met Muath Faqihi’s cross with a low finish to level the score.
Al-Qadsiah reasserted control after the break, showing their determination to remain in touch with the title race. Five minutes into the second half, Waleed Al-Ahmed scored his first goal for the club, heading home a well-delivered cross from Nandez.
In the 73rd minute, Quinones brought up his 20th league goal of the season with a composed finish past Samuel.
Al-Okhdood provided a late scare when Abdulaziz Al-Hatila struck a long-range effort in the 86th minute that hit the crossbar, bounced down and crossed the line, with goal-line technology confirming the goal.
However, Al-Qadsiah responded almost immediately. Just 60 seconds later, Quinones completed his hat-trick to take his tally to 21 goals for the campaign and seal the win.
Elsewhere, Abdelrazzak Hamedallah and Yannick Carrasco inspired Al-Shabab to a 3-1 away victory over Damac in Nourredine Ben Zekri’s first match in charge. The Riyadh side moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Al-Taawoun’s difficult run continued with a 3-2 home defeat to Al-Fayha. The visitors led 2-0 after 52 minutes through goals from Yassine Benzia and Fashion Sakala, before Roger Martinez and Mohammed Al-Dossari struck twice in five minutes to draw Al-Taawoun level.
Sakala had the final say with an 89th-minute winner, lifting Al-Fayha to 10th place.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Saturday, with Al-Nassr hosting Al-Hazem, Al-Khaleej welcoming NEOM and Al-Hilal facing Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Clasico. All matches kick off at 10:00pm under the league’s unified Ramadan schedule.
