DUBAI: Last season’s Saudi Professional League runner-up Al-Shabab suffered a shock defeat in the opening match of the 2021-22 season, going down 2-1 to Abha at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Stadium on Thursday night.

Abha took the lead after only nine minutes through Saad Bguir, and doubled the lead four minutes before the break through Mitchell te Vrede’s penalty.

Al-Shabab halved the deficit through Ever Banega’s 57th minute spot kick, but could not force an equalizer against a resolute home defense.

Meanwhile Al-Ittihad, third last season, also unexpectedly lost 1-0 away to Al-Fayhaa at Al-Majmaa Stadium on Wednesday night.

The home team took the lead on 35 minutes, but despite having plenty of time to turn the match around Al-Ittihad could not find an equalizer in a match the Jeddah club was expected to win.

The results were an early warning for the Kingdom’s top clubs that they will not have it all their own way this season.

On Friday night, Al-Nassr take on Damac at home, while Al-Ahli will host Al-Faisaly. Champions Al-Hilal will kick off on Saturday, welcoming newly-promoted Al-Tai to King Fahd International Stadium.

All three will be hoping to avoid the fate of Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad, and collect three points from relatively gentle starts to the season.