Amir Saayoud delivered his sixth assist of the season on Sunday, once again showcasing his creative quality, though it was not enough to prevent Al Raed from suffering a late 2-1 defeat to Al Khaleej in the Saudi Premier League.
Al Raed, who continue to struggle at the foot of the table, took an early lead in Buraydah through a well-worked move involving three of their key Algerian players.
Saayoud, a constant creative threat, was at the heart of the play, linking up with compatriot Yousri Bouzok before delivering a sharp cutback for Moroccan forward Karim El Berkaoui to fire home in the 27th minute.
The goal reflected the chemistry between Saayoud and Bouzok, who have been vital to Al Raed’s attacking play despite the club’s ongoing relegation battle.
Saayoud, a winner of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup with Algeria, has consistently been among the standout performers in the Saudi top flight, even as his team fights for survival.
Al Raed’s promising first-half display, however, unraveled in the closing stages of the match.
After controlling much of the game and looking poised for a crucial victory, they conceded twice in the dying minutes, allowing Al Khaleej to snatch all three points in dramatic fashion.
The defeat deepens Al Raed’s troubles in the league. With only eight matches remaining in the season, the club now sits five points adrift of safety, increasing the urgency for results if they are to avoid relegation.
Saayoud, who has served as the creative engine for the side, continues to be a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign.
His sixth assist of the season underscores his vision and technique, attributes that have made him one of the league’s most respected midfielders.
Time and again, he has demonstrated the ability to unlock defences, as seen in his latest contribution.
Alongside Saayoud and Bouzok, fellow Algerian international Mehdi Abeid also featured in the starting line-up, forming a trio of experienced North African players tasked with steering Al Raed through their current crisis.
Despite the team’s collective effort and strong spells during the match, lapses in concentration at the back proved costly once again.
The focus for Al Raed now shifts to the final stretch of the campaign, where every point will be critical. With experienced figures like Saayoud pulling the strings in midfield, there is still hope of a turnaround. However, the margin for error is shrinking fast.
As the season heads toward its climax, Al Raed must capitalise on the creativity of players like Amir Saayoud and convert promising moments into consistent results.
Sunday’s match, while yet another frustrating defeat, reaffirmed the Algerian’s ability to influence games at the highest level. Whether that will be enough to keep his team in the division remains to be seen.
