Their persistence finally paid off in the 34th minute with a flash of attacking play that caught the defense of Al Nassr napping. The Wehda midfielder sent a cross-field pass that traveled the whole distance of the far post and the Wehda center forward headed it home with power and the diving goalkeeper beaten and the home crowd ecstatic with delight.
Equalizer gave Wehda players a boost of confidence and they dominated the half with a few half- chance opportunities that had the defense of Al Nassr working overtime not to be behind at half-time.
Tactical Chess in Second Half
Each side made use of the half-time interval in regrouping and reshuffling strategy and an excellent tactical encounter followed with the resumption of the match. Al Nassr turned once more to a play of possession in an effort at gaining the initiative with the hosts tight and looking for space behind the advancing visitors’ defense line.
Al Nassr put an end to the deadlock in the 58th with a thumping 25-meter shot that came at the top of the net with the Al Wehda goalkeeper with no chance whatsoever with a diving effort.
Al Wehda countered with a two-for-one swap that infused the side’s attacking line with the dynamism of rested legs with the move also introducing a tactical change of direction with a direct strategy that placed mounting pressure on the defense of Al Nassr.
Al wehda vs al nassr results: Thrilling Saudi Pro League
Last-Gasp Drama Unfolds
The last half an hour of the match came alive and provided the drama that has been characteristic of the two clubs’ matches. Wehda determination finally paid off in the 78th minute with a controversial award of a penalty that provided them with the opportunity once again of bringing the match into a draw.
After a lengthy VAR review that ruled the handball foul play against them, the captain of Al Wehda came and slotted the spot kick home comfortably, beating the goalkeeper the wrong way and bringing the scores to 2-2.
Both teams battled hard for a winner and the match edged further and further toward a stalemate. Possibility at either end with the defense weakening and space yawning everywhere across the pitch. The physicality of the stronger of the two teams finally started telling toward the latter part of the match with the middle line of the pitch also working hard although the clock crept closer and closer toward the final whistle.
Al Nassr turning point arrived in the 87th minute. Substitute player of Al Nassr, substituted five minutes prior, picked the ball at the penalty area line, created half a yard of space with a cunning move and curved a stunning shot into the top of the net beyond the desperate thrashing of the goalkeeper of Al Wehda.
We had that at the back of the mind that we had agreed a deal with him,” the Al Nassr coach explained. “He has the talent that will dictate games in tight games. This was a top-drawer effort with a lot of pressure.” Saudi Pro League rankings aftermath The Saudi Pro League leaders’ hold at the top has been sealed with the campaign reaching the business part of the season with the leaders at a touching distance of the title. The disappointment has been in the form of a lost opportunity of distance with the relegation zone with the match providing a morale boost against the forthcoming tests.
We showed that we’re good enough at the standard of the top teams of this competition,” Wehda coach believed. “We’re not pleased with the final result of course, but the way we’ve played will be a good base to build further. Marginal things won this match and the match the next they may be with us instead.”
Statistics of the match reflected the competitive character of the match with almost equally divided field possessions (52% vs 48% of the side of Al Nassr) and almost the identical count of the attempts that reached the target of each side (7 vs 6).
Individual Performances Stand Out
Beyond the scoreline, several individual performances caught the eye. Al Nassr’s defensive midfielder produced a masterclass in positioning and distribution, completing 94% of his passes while making crucial interventions to break up Al Wehda’s attacks. Their attacking player at the field’s right flank was a thorn in the side of the hosts throughout the match with the record of the highest number of successful dribles with 7 and with a string of threatening crosses that had been executed better by the rest of the players. Their respective keepers also added an entertaining spectacle with each making vital saves that helped avert the potentially larger margin of the scoreline.
Looking Ahead
The two clubs will be playing matches in a still tight Saudi Pro League campaign the following weekend. Next weekend will be the try of Al Nassr to follow this with a match against a fellow middle-table club and Al Wehda playing a vital six-pointer against fellow relegation fighters in an effort to earn top-division status. This match if anything has been a clear sign of how Saudi football fans will be in lots of thrills this season with the league set to keep providing games of substance and excitement that will keep the hearts of the entire of the country and the world at large glued to the television set. The respect the two clubs had at the final whistle showed that they had worked toward a match that showed the highest virtues of Saudi Arabian football – technical competence, tactical acumen, physical effort, and sportsmanship. Al Nassr will be able to take comfort in a handy three at the travel time with Al Wehda having to regroup and take confidence at least if not the win with a campaign yet to be completed in one of the continent’s toughest home divisions.
