Narey strike extends Al Khaleej record, Al Hazem hold Damac for a draw

Narey on target as Al Khaleej continue undefeated run

Khaled Narey scored the only goal of the game as Al Khaleej stretched their undefeated streak to six games in the Roshn Saudi League following a 1-0 win away at Al Raed.

The contest was slow to get going at the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City in Buraidah, but the stalemate was emphatically broken thanks to Naery in the 35th minute.

Al Khaleej right-back Saeed Al Hamsal pushed forward and played a dangerous ball into the box. Al Raed defender Oumar Gonzalez quickly reacted, but his clearance fell into the path of Narey who curled the ball into the back of the net with an instinctive finish. That was a third goal in four RSL outings for the Togo international.

Up the other end and Al Raed had an immediate chance to draw level. Khalid Al Subaie curled in a corner which was met by the head of Karim El Berkaoui which flew just inches past the post. Al Khaleej could have easily doubled their advantage heading into the break had midfielder Mansour Hamzi not skewed his header wide from an Ivo Rodrigues flick on.

 

Al Raed pressed forward looking for a leveller as the second half progressed. Hamad Al Jayzani whipped in a cross into the penalty area, veteran attacker Julio Tavares got a boot to it but the chance trickled just wide of the far post.  Likewise, Al Raed midfielder Mansour Al Bishi spurned an effort from just outside of the box when the Saudi Arabian really should have got a shot on target.

Igor Jovicevic’s men thought they grabbed a more than deserved equaliser deep into second-half stoppage time as El Berkaoui popped up to head home from close range. Those joyous celebrations were immediately halted by the offside flag.

The result means that Al Khaleej move into ninth spot, they will face RSL leaders Al Hilal on Friday, whilst Al Raed stay in 13th, five points away from the relegation places.


Al Hazem left frustrated with stalemate with Damac

Bottom side Al Hazem snapped a three game losing streak but were left frustrated that they didn't pick up all three points  after a 0-0 stalemate with Damac on Monday evening.

The visitors registered their first of three shots on target in the 12th minute. Nicolae Stanciu won the ball high up the pitch and drove into the penalty area. The tame shot from the Romanian was easily gathered by Al Hazem goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.

Just after the half hour mark, Al Hazem crafted a chance of note. With the ball bouncing in the box, striker Mohammed Al Thani smashed a shot from a tight angle. Damac goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba shut the effort down.

The home side continued to search for an opener and had two further chances as the first half progressed. First, Faiz Selemani had a deflected shot that curved just past the post. Whilst club captain Toze played a neat one-two with the Comoros international in the box, his strike was also deflected and flew into the side netting.

Al Hazem did find the back of the net on the 43rd minute, Toze as ever at the heart of the action was in the right place at the right time to side foot home Yousef Al Shammari’s pass. However VAR intervened to deny the goal as Al Thani was adjudged to have fouled Damac defender Ramzi Solan in the buildup.

 

The side from Ar Rass are rooted to the bottom of the RSL standings, and have not tasted victory in their last 12 RSL games. Their issue is seemingly that they can create chances without hitting the target. This was highlighted as Al Thani headed wide from a inch perfect cross from Selemani in the 58th minute.

Damac also looked a shadow of themselves in the contest. Stanciu came close with a free-kick which flew past the Al Hazem post in the 64th minute.

Al Hazem pushed hard to break the deadlock, and spurned their final chance six minutes from time. Left-back Ahmad Al Mhemaid provided the cross but painfully, Al Shammari pushed his header over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Coach Jose Carreno will be frustrated by the failure of his side to convert their chances into goals. Al Hazem will look to make amends when they head to fellow strugglers Al Raed on Sunday evening. Damac stay in seventh place on 35 points.