Youssef En-Nesyri heads Al-Ittihad’s latest foreign scoring sequence in Saudi Pro League opener

Youssef En-Nesyri continued Al-Ittihad’s run of foreign players scoring their opening goal in the Roshn Saudi League by heading his side in front against Al-Kholood on Saturday.

The Morocco striker struck in the 43rd minute at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, converting a well-delivered cross from right-back Ahmed Al-Jalidan with a powerful header.

The goal came in Al-Ittihad’s opening fixture of the Roshn Saudi League season, with the Jeddah club hosting Al-Kholood in the first round of matches.

En-Nesyri is widely regarded as a particularly strong aerial forward, and his ability to score with headers had been missing from Al-Ittihad’s attack during last season under Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao. That feature has returned more recently under German coach Yens Vissing.

By opening the scoring for Al-Ittihad in this season’s league campaign, En-Nesyri followed the example of Karim Benzema, who scored the club’s first goal in the competition last season before subsequently moving on to Al-Hilal.

According to Opta statistics, En-Nesyri became the fourth consecutive foreign player to score Al-Ittihad’s first goal of a Roshn Saudi League season. He followed compatriot Abderrazak Hamdallah, Algeria international Houssem Aouar and Benzema.

The sequence underlines the prominent role overseas forwards have played in Al-Ittihad’s recent league campaigns. En-Nesyri’s finish also showcased one of his most recognisable qualities, as he rose to meet Al-Jalidan’s cross and directed the ball into the net.

Benzema was also the player who opened Al-Hilal’s scoring in the new season. The French striker converted a penalty in Al-Hilal’s 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly at Kingdom Arena on Friday.

Despite En-Nesyri’s goal being Al-Ittihad’s first in the Roshn Saudi League this season, it was not the club’s first goal in all competitions. That honour went to Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn, who scored during Al-Ittihad’s 4-1 victory over United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira last Tuesday.

Bergwijn’s goal came in the play-off round for the AFC Champions League Elite, as Al-Ittihad began its qualification campaign with a convincing win.

En-Nesyri’s arrival in the league side therefore added another chapter to a scoring pattern that has run through Al-Ittihad’s recent opening-day campaigns. Hamdallah, Aouar and Benzema had previously occupied the same place in the club’s statistical record, before the Morocco international became the latest name to extend the run.