Al Qadsiah’s impressive form continued on Thursday as they secured a commanding 3-0 win over Al-Kholood in the 13th round of the Saudi Pro League. This victory marked their sixth consecutive win, catapulting them to 28 points and edging them closer to the top teams in the league. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood remained stagnant at just 10 points, adding more pressure on their already struggling season.
Mexican striker Julian Quinones played a starring role in the match, scoring twice in the first and second halves, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed the victory with a third goal. Despite playing most of the game with a man down following a red card, Al-Kholood struggled to contain Al Qadsiah’s clinical attack.
A Streak to Remember: Al Qadsiah’s Impressive Rise
Al Qadsiah’s sixth consecutive win is not just another notch on the board; it’s a testament to their growing momentum. With every match, their confidence seems to build, and with 28 points now on the table, they’ve become serious contenders for the top positions.
Julian Quinones Leads the Charge
The standout performer was, without a doubt, Julian Quinones. The Mexican striker was everywhere, scoring two crucial goals. The first came in the 10th minute after a quick counter-attack caught Al-Kholood off guard. Quinones found the back of the net with a clinical finish, putting his team in control early on.
The second goal came in the 71st minute, when Quinones pounced on a loose ball inside the box, delivering a composed strike to double Al Qadsiah’s advantage. The result was never in doubt by that point, and his performance will certainly have fans talking for days.
Aubameyang Seals the Deal
As if Quinones’ brace wasn’t enough, Aubameyang made sure to put any lingering doubts to bed. In the 66th minute, the former Arsenal forward latched onto a through ball, expertly guiding it past Al-Kholood’s goalkeeper to score the third goal. It was a moment of calmness in what had otherwise been a chaotic game, particularly after Al-Kholood’s dismissal.
Al-Kholood’s Struggles Deepen
The game took a frustrating turn for Al-Kholood just before half-time. In the 44th minute, a foul led to a VAR review, resulting in a red card for one of their players. Down to 10 men for the rest of the match, Al-Kholood simply couldn’t recover from the setback.
While Al Qadsiah maintained control and dominated possession, Al-Kholood was left to fight an uphill battle, ultimately failing to create any significant opportunities. Their defence, already under pressure, cracked under the weight of the man disadvantage, and they were unable to respond to the attacking firepower of Al Qadsiah.
A Close Look at the Stats
Al Qadsiah’s dominance was reflected in the statistics. The team enjoyed 58% possession throughout the game, managing 12 shots, 7 of which were on target. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood, despite playing with an extra man for most of the match, could only muster 2 shots on goal and struggled to keep up with the pace of their opponents.
| Stat | Al Qadsiah | Al-Kholood |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 58 | 42 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 2 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
This stark contrast in performance highlights Al Qadsiah’s clinical finishing and disciplined play. The difference in the final scoreline reflected not just the score but also the teams’ respective levels of play.
Al Riyadh’s Narrow Victory Against Al-Orobah
In another significant match, Al Riyadh secured a vital 1-0 win against Al-Orobah in Al-Jouf. The game was far from straightforward for Al Riyadh, who played with 10 men for much of the match following a red card to Ahmed Asiri in the 29th minute.
Despite being a player down, Al Riyadh’s Tuzzi managed to break the deadlock in the 80th minute. His late goal proved to be the difference-maker, earning Al Riyadh three points and propelling them up the standings to 21 points. Meanwhile, Al-Orobah’s failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage left them with just 13 points, a situation that’s becoming increasingly difficult to recover from.
Looking Ahead: The Battle for the Top Spots
With Al Qadsiah’s victory, the league table continues to shape up with increasing intensity. As the teams head into the second half of the season, every point becomes crucial. Al Qadsiah’s newfound momentum has them closing in on the top spots, and their performances indicate that they are not just participating in the race but actively shaping it.
For Al-Kholood and Al-Orobah, however, things are looking much bleaker. With the season well underway, the pressure to turn their fortunes around has never been higher.
