Al-Qadsiah Go Top of Saudi Pro League With 2-1 Win Over Abha as Postponements Reshape Table
Al-Qadsiah beat Abha 2-1 at the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on Friday, October 16, in round nine of the Saudi Pro League. The win took them to the top of the table, but postponements elsewhere mean the standings need to be read alongside the number of matches played.
Al-Qadsiah missed a chance to take an early lead. Italian striker Mateo Retegui had a fifth-minute penalty saved, but he made up for it in the 30th minute. He collected a pass from Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and fired a right-footed shot into the net to give the hosts the lead. The match was played in high temperatures, and the home side had to work hard for the points.
Al-Qadsiah doubled their lead in the 69th minute. Retegui dropped the ball in front of the Abha goal, and Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat pounced to drill it in with his left foot. Abha, who were promoted after winning the second-tier First Division title in May, pulled one back in the fifth minute of stoppage time, but they could not find an equaliser.
The victory takes Al-Qadsiah to 22 points from nine matches, with seven wins, one draw and one defeat. They have scored 22 goals and conceded eight. They now have sole possession of first place. Al-Hilal are second on 21 points, but they have played only eight games, with seven wins and one defeat. Al-Nassr have 19 points from eight matches.
Postponements have shaped this round. Al-Hilal's game against Al-Riyadh was postponed, which stopped them from taking the top spot. Al-Nassr's match against Al-Ahli, which was due on Thursday, will not be played until March. Abha's own match against Al-Faisaly has also been moved, from October 11 to October 27.
Abha remain bottom of the table with just two points and no wins this season, with two draws and six defeats from their eight matches.
The win was also a landmark for Al-Qadsiah's Yasser Al-Shahrani, who matched Salem Al-Dawsari's record for the most league wins in Saudi Pro League history, with 213 victories. Al-Qadsiah also have four points from their first two games in the AFC Champions League Elite.