In one of the most controversial moments during the seventeenth round of the Saudi Professional League, the well-known Jordanian refereeing expert, Ahmed Abu Khadija, settled the controversy surrounding Al-Nasr Club’s right to a penalty kick during its important match against Damac Club, which was held on the grounds of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

The incident occurred when Al-Nassr stars, led by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb, demanded a penalty kick after a handball by a Damac defender inside the penalty area. The players' protest sparked debate among observers regarding the referee's decision to allow play to continue.

In an exclusive statement to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi, refereeing expert Ahmed Abu Khadija offered his decisive technical analysis, stating: “The referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Al-Nassr against Damac was 100% correct .” Abu Khadija explained his reasoning, saying: “The ball was played by a teammate to the defender from very close range. In such situations, there is no opportunity to pull the hand away or avoid the ball, and therefore, the handball was not considered intentional according to the Laws of the Game. The referee’s decision to allow play to continue was correct and in accordance with the recent amendments to the handball law.”

General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League

This match comes amidst the intense competition of the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention after attracting major international stars. Every point is crucial in the title race, and Al-Nassr is considered one of the top contenders, making every refereeing decision in their matches subject to intense scrutiny from the media and fans. These controversial incidents add to the excitement of the league and highlight the immense pressure placed on referees managing matches of this magnitude.

Expected impact and importance of arbitration analysis

Refereeing decisions, especially in major matches, have a direct impact on the outcome and the course of the league competition. Although Al-Nassr secured the victory with a goal scored by Abdulrahman Ghareeb after a decisive pass from Angelo Gabriel, such incidents remain a topic of discussion in sporting circles. The role of refereeing experts like Ahmed Abu Khadija is crucial in providing objective analysis based on the Laws of the Game, contributing to public awareness, calming heated debates, and emphasizing the importance of understanding the details of the law to avoid misinterpretations.

Al-Ahli Saudi fans are breathing a sigh of relief with positive news regarding the injury of young Brazilian player Matheus Gonçalves, who missed the team's last match against Al-Khaleej in the Saudi Professional League. According to informed sources, the player is preparing to return to group training next Friday, paving the way for his participation in upcoming matches and bolstering the team's strength.

General context and the player's importance to the team

The absence of Gonçalves from the Al-Khaleej match, which Al-Ahli won 4-1, is a temporary setback for the team led by German coach Matthias Jäissle. The Brazilian player, who joined the "Castle of Cups" during the summer transfer window on loan from Brazilian club Flamengo, quickly established himself as a key pillar in the team's midfield. Jäissle relies on him as a vital element in the midfield trio thanks to his technical skills and ability to link the defense and attack, providing a valuable addition alongside established stars like Ivorian Franck Kessié and Spaniard Gabri Vega.

The impact of his return on Al Ahly's ambitions

Gonçalves' return comes at a crucial time, as Al-Ahli, newly promoted to the Pro League, seeks to establish itself in the top four and seriously contend for the league title. With the influx of international talent into the Roshan League this season, every match has become a final, and having a full squad, both physically and technically ready, is key to success. The return of a player of Gonçalves' caliber provides coach Yasle with broader tactical options and greater squad depth, especially given the pressure of a packed schedule and the tight competition.

A look at the team's future

Gonçalves is part of Al-Ahli's ambitious project to build a strong team capable of competing both domestically and continentally. The fitness and continued participation of his players are crucial to achieving these goals. As his return to action draws near, attention is focused on how he will contribute to enhancing the team's performance in upcoming matches, starting with the next game against NEOM FC, and continuing the quest for titles to delight their vast fan base, who have high hopes for this generation of players.

In one of the most exciting and thrilling matches of the Saudi Roshan League, the bottom-of-the-table clash between Al-Akhdoud and Al-Riyadh ended in a positive draw of two goals each, in the match that took place at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran, as part of the seventeenth round of the competition.

The context of the match and its importance in the struggle for survival

The two newly promoted teams entered this match fully aware of its crucial importance in their fight to avoid relegation. Every point at this stage of the season is vital, especially in direct confrontations between the threatened teams. This importance was reflected on the pitch through the intense competitiveness and great enthusiasm that characterized the players' performance from the opening minutes, as the Roshan League strives to establish itself as one of the most competitive leagues in the region and the world, where the excitement is not limited to the top matches but extends to all encounters.

First half details and Al-Riyadh's lead

The first half was evenly matched, with Al-Riyadh holding a slight advantage and capitalizing on their chances. Al-Akhdoud attempted to surprise their visitors early with a direct free kick from Cameroonian Christian Bassogog, but his shot went just over the crossbar in the 9th minute. Al-Riyadh responded quickly with dangerous opportunities, most notably a header from Mohammed Al-Khaibari in the 15th minute and a powerful shot from Portuguese player Antonio Tozé in the 22nd minute. Al-Akhdoud's goalkeeper, Brazilian Paulo Vitor, made a brilliant save to deny Al-Riyadh a certain goal in the 23rd minute. Al-Riyadh's pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Tozé capitalized on a perfectly placed cross, powerfully placing it into the net. Senegalese player Mamadou Sylla almost doubled the lead before the end of the half, but he squandered a clear one-on-one opportunity.

A dramatic turn of events: expulsion, return, and an incomplete championship

The course of the match turned completely at the start of the second half, as Al-Akhdoud suffered a major blow when their new Norwegian striker, Tokmac Nguyen, was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 47th minute. Despite being a man down, the home side displayed remarkable character and fighting spirit. From a perfectly executed cross, defender Saeed Al-Rubaie rose to head home a superb equalizer in the 62nd minute. Al-Rubaie wasn't finished there, however, and once again took center stage, scoring his second goal and his team's second from a corner kick with another perfectly placed header in the 86th minute, unleashing jubilation among the Najran fans who believed their team had achieved a historic victory. But football had other plans. In stoppage time, specifically in the 90+5th minute, Saud Haroun snatched a dramatic equalizer for Al-Riyadh, ending the match in a 2-2 draw.

The impact of the result on the teams' standings

With this result, Al-Akhdoud raised its points tally to 18, while Al-Riyadh reached 17 (according to the standings at the time of the match). Although a point is better than nothing, both teams are disappointed; Al-Akhdoud for squandering a victory that was within their grasp despite being a man down, and Al-Riyadh for failing to capitalize on their numerical advantage to secure a full-fledged win. The battle to avoid relegation from the Roshan League remains fierce, and this result serves as a reminder of the intense competition and the difficulty in predicting which teams will manage to secure their place among the elite for next season.