Veteran defender Ali Al-Bulaihi, recently signed by Al-Shabab, stole the show early and dramatically during his team's highly anticipated match against his former club, Al-Hilal, in the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Bulaihi delivered a dramatic first half-hour that captivated fans in the stands and those watching on television, creating the highlight of the round.

A noisy start and a clash with yesterday's comrades

The match was more than just an ordinary 90 minutes for the 36-year-old defender; it carried a special emotional and competitive dimension. After joining Al-Shabab on loan from Al-Hilal at the beginning of February, Al-Bulaihi found himself facing the club he had defended for over nine years, during which he won numerous local and continental titles and whose name was linked to the "Leader's" stronghold with a contract extending until the end of 2025. However, emotions faded as soon as the opening whistle blew, as in the eighth minute the player became embroiled in a heated argument and physical confrontation with his former teammate, Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo, in a scene that required the referee's swift intervention to restore calm and control to the tense derby atmosphere.

A dramatic scenario and a friendly fire incident

The drama and misfortune continued to plague Al-Bulaihi in his first appearance against his former team. In the 31st minute, he suffered a devastating blow when he scored an own goal against his current team, Al-Shabab. The ball deflected off him, changing direction and deceiving goalkeeper Grohe into the net, giving Al-Hilal a temporary advantage at a crucial moment. This own goal ignited social media and served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football, where only effort on the pitch matters, regardless of past affiliations.

A fiery first half that reflects the strength of the Saudi league

The match was played at a high technical level, reflecting the significant development of the Saudi Professional League and the fierce competition between the Riyadh giants. The first half ended with Al-Hilal leading 3-2 in a dramatic fashion. Al-Shabab opened the scoring through Brownhill, but Mohammed Kanno quickly equalized for Al-Hilal. After an own goal by Al-Bulaihi, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah leveled the score for Al-Shabab just a minute before halftime. However, Senegalese defender Kalidou Coulibaly ensured Al-Hilal maintained their lead at the break, scoring their third goal in the dying moments.

This encounter is further proof of the high market and technical value of the Riyadh derby, as the eyes of Arab and international football fans turn to follow these summits that bring together an elite group of world stars, and confirms the prestigious position that the Saudi League has reached as one of the strongest leagues in the region.

A state of deep sadness and anger gripped Ali Al-Bulaihi , in a scene that caught the attention of the fans and the cameras, after he scored an own goal during the top match of the round between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab, within the competitions of the Roshan Professional League .

Television cameras captured a dramatic reaction from the player, showing his intense frustration after his team conceded a goal due to his mistake. This reflects the immense psychological pressure and the burning desire to win in such crucial matches. Al-Bulaihi is always known for his fierce fighting spirit and unparalleled enthusiasm on the pitch, meaning any error he makes carries significant weight, even more so than for the team.

Details of the exciting Riyadh derby

The score is currently tied at 2-2 in a thrilling match being played at Al Shabab Stadium, in front of a large crowd reflecting the derby's significance. The game has witnessed high-level technical and tactical shifts from both sides.

The goals of the match reflected the intensity of the competition, as Al-Hilal’s by star player Mohammed Kanno and Ali Al-Bulaihi (by mistake), while Al-Shabab’s scored by professional Josh Brownhill and Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, igniting the match in search of a decisive goal.

The importance of the Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab derby in the Roshan League

Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab hold immense importance in Saudi sports circles, as the Riyadh derby is considered one of the most prestigious rivalries in Saudi football history. This particular match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing tremendous growth and unprecedented global viewership, thanks to the attraction of world-class players, making every point in the league race extremely valuable.

Historically, matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab have always been fiercely contested and exciting, with small details and individual errors – such as own goals – often playing a decisive role in determining the winner. The result of this encounter directly impacts the league standings, as each team strives to improve its position and seriously compete for the title or Asian Champions League qualification.

The impact of individual errors on the course of the summit

Own goals are an inherent part of football, and they often put players under immense psychological pressure to recover and make amends in the remaining minutes. Ali Al-Bulaihi's reaction reflects his sense of responsibility and his awareness of the importance of the match, which typically elicits mixed reactions from the audience, ranging from support to criticism. However, the ongoing flow of the game always offers an opportunity to bounce back and correct course before the final whistle.

The own goal scored by Saudi international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi against his former team Al-Shabab in the Saudi Professional League derby has reopened the debate surrounding own goals and the player's record in this regard, especially given the intense focus on Riyadh derbies and the high-stakes matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab. While the goal sparked a wave of fan discussion, a closer look at the statistics reveals a different picture than the initial impression.

A numerical paradox in Al-Bulaihi's career

Detailed statistics reveal a striking paradox in the professional career of Al-Hilal and Saudi national team defender, Ali Al-Bulaihi. Despite playing 263 matches for Al-Hilal, accumulating a staggering 22,213 minutes of playing time, he scored only one own goal throughout that illustrious period. This statistic clearly reflects the player's exceptional focus, defensive stability, and tactical discipline on the pitch, despite the pressure of a relentless schedule and fierce competition for all titles.

Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal... the story of the two goals

In contrast, during his brief stint with Al-Shabab, Al-Bulaihi played only five matches, totaling 391 minutes. Ironically, he scored an own goal against his former club, Al-Shabab, in a match against Al-Hilal – an incident still fresh in the minds of fans. Now, he has scored an own goal against his current club, Al-Hilal, in a match against Al-Shabab, as if fate has linked his rare own goals to these two giants of Saudi football, despite the vast difference in the number of matches and years between the two experiences.

Historical context and artistic status

From a technical and historical perspective, Ali Al-Bulaihi's career cannot be reduced to a single moment of brilliance or an own goal. He is a cornerstone of Al-Hilal's golden era and of Saudi football in recent years. His resilience and leadership qualities contributed to numerous domestic and continental titles, including the AFC Champions League and the Saudi Professional League on several occasions. The aforementioned statistics confirm that own goals were never his defining characteristic; rather, they are extremely rare occurrences that happen even to the world's greatest defenders due to their positioning in dangerous areas to clear the ball.

Mental toughness and overcoming obstacles

Al-Bulaihi possesses remarkable mental fortitude, enabling him to quickly overcome such lapses. This is precisely what Al-Hilal fans, who are placing great faith in him during the crucial stages of the current season, are anticipating. His recent goal against Al-Shabab remains a mere footnote and a minor detail in a long and illustrious career of achievements and goalkeeping prowess, further solidifying his status as one of the most prominent defenders in the history of the Saudi Professional League.