Al Ittihad Host Al Akhdoud
The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, home to table toppers Karim Benzema led Al Ittihad played hosts to Al Akhdoud from Najran, precariously placed in the relegation zone. The stadium was packed as a cool night beckoned the second day of Ramadan.
Houssem Aouar Draws First Blood
It was a great opportunity for Al Ittihad to further consolidate their position at the top of the Saudi Pro League Leaderboard and they did start well too. Algerian Houssem Aouar produced a fine run In the 39th minute from the left into the Al Akhdoud box and scored with a powerful finish. Al Ittihad were ahead.
Al Ittihad Not At Their Best
The hosts dominated possession (60%) but were not at their best in terms of laying seige in the opponents box, whereas the visitors from Najran looked much sharper and had more shots on goal than their more fancied opponents. Al Akhdoud would have equalised early on but the well directed header hit the cross bar.
Flashes Of Brilliance From Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema though displayed some great skill and almost scored in the second half. He dribbled past a few defenders and then struck powerfully only to be denied by Paulo Vitor, the 36 year old Brazilian Goalkeeper.
A Bassogog Rocket
Al Akhdoud, though, kept pushing and eventually a moment of individual brilliance helped them snatch a point. 7 minutes into stoppage time saw Christian Mougang Bassogog, the 29 year old Cameroonian forward, unleash a rocket of a strike. With Al Akhdoud trying to force an equaliser, the ball fell in the path of Bassogog on the edge of the box who struck with great ferocity and precision, beating the Al Ittihad goalkeeper all ends up.
Al Akhdoud Steal A Draw
It was a magical strike and Al Ittihad had once again conceded a late goal to lose points. The day belonged to Bassogog and his team who are engaged in a raging battle to come out of the relegation zone. For Al Ittihad they have some issues to ponder.
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