Al Qadsiah join Al-Hilal at the top after thrilling win over Al Ahli

Al Qadsiah moved level on points with Al-Hilal at the summit of the Saudi Pro League after beating Al Ahli 3-2 in a dramatic sixth-round fixture.

The victory took Al Qadsiah to 15 points, with their goal difference placing them second behind Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad also strengthened their position near the top of the table by defeating Al-Fayha 2-1.

Al Qadsiah had already produced the same result against Al Ahli last season and once again made a fast start. Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area.

The hosts doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Abu Al-Shamat converted a low cross from Bounou Bah in the 45th minute of added time.

Brendan Rodgers’ side then extended their lead only a minute later, with Reijnders heading in his second goal of the match to make it 3-0 before the interval.

Al Ahli responded with greater urgency after the break and reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute. Ivan Toney rose to head the ball into the net, giving his team hope of completing a comeback.

The England international scored again with nine minutes remaining, finishing after breaking clear of the Al Qadsiah defence. His second goal made it 3-2, but Al Ahli were unable to find an equaliser.

Toney’s brace took his league tally to eight goals, leaving him at the top of the Saudi Pro League scoring charts.

The defeat was Al Ahli’s third of the season and left them with three points in seventh place. Al Qadsiah, meanwhile, remain within touching distance of Al-Hilal at the top after six matches.

Al-Ittihad secure narrow win

Al-Ittihad, known as the Tigers, took the lead against Al-Fayha in the 43rd minute through George Ilenikhena. The forward reacted first after a header struck the crossbar and followed up to put his side in front.

Al-Fayha, referred to as the Panthers, levelled in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. Jason Remeseiro finished a low cross with a composed touch to make it 1-1.

The decisive moment came in the 68th minute, when Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri converted a penalty to secure all three points for Al-Ittihad.

The result lifted Al-Ittihad to 14 points and third place, one point behind Al-Hilal after six rounds. Al-Fayha stayed 11th with five points.

Al Qadsiah also set a notable league record with their victory. They became only the fourth team to lead Al Ahli by at least three goals at half-time in a Saudi Pro League match, following three such occasions involving Al-Hilal, as well as previous examples involving Al-Raed and Al-Taawoun.

The win also extended Al Qadsiah’s perfect record in the seven Saudi Pro League matches in which they have held a lead of at least three goals at half-time.