Champions Al Hilal have taken the lead in the early stages of the 2021-22 Saudi Pro League season after a dramatic 2-1 win against Al-Taawoun at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah on Friday night.
A stoppage time winner means the Riyadh team has maximum points from its opening two matches, but it was only nine minutes away from what would have been a shock away defeat.
Al-Taawoun’s Cameroonian forward Léandre Tawamba had a goal disallowed for offside in the 13th minute, before a mix-up between Al-Hilal’s defender Ali Al-Bulayhi and goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf presented him with another chance just before the half-hour mark, which he gleefully accepted.
Al-Hilal raised their game but struggled to score, with Malian striker Moussa Marega in particular coming close to an equalizer.
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Al-Taawoun will next host Al-Nassr on Thursday, while Al-Hilal take on Al-Batin the following day.
At the start of the second half, Al-Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim brought on Salman Al-Faraj for Mohammed Jahfali, but the breakthrough continued to elude them as the final 10 minutes of the match approached.
Al Hilal’s pressure paid off in the 81st minute when Yasser Al-Shahrani’s cross was headed home by Marega. After VAR checked for its validity, the goal stood.
Brazilian Matheus Pereira almost marked his debut with a late winner but shot weakly at Cassio in Al-Taawoun’s goal.
The real drama was still to come, with the South Korean Hyun Soo Jang giving Al-Hilal all three points with a 93rd minute winner.
Al-Taawoun will next host Al-Nassr on Thursday, while Al-Hilal take on Al-Batin the following day.
In Friday’s other matches Al Batin defeated Abha 2-1 and Damac edged newly promoted Al-Tai 1-0.
On Thursday Al-Ahli scraped a late draw at Al-Hazem, and Al-Nassr went down 2-1 to Al-Faisaly.
