Al-Ittihad Edges Al-Taawoun 1-0 with Al Shanqiti’s Decisive Goal

Muhannad Al Shanqiti played a crucial role in Al-Ittihad’s narrow 1-0 victory over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League. This match took place on Saturday. It marked a significant turnaround for Al-Ittihad after a challenging start to the season.

Match Summary

Al-Ittihad’s revival continued as they secured their fourth consecutive win, climbing to fifth place in the league standings after 12 matches. The team’s previous five league games had ended without a win.

First Half Highlights

• Al-Ittihad dominated early on, with multiple attempts on goal from key players.
• Moussa Diaby, Al Shanqiti, and Karim Benzema all tested Al-Taawoun’s goalkeeper, Mailson, but failed to score.
• The hosts recorded nine attempts in the first half but did not manage to find the back of the net.

Decisive Goal

Five minutes into the second half, Al-Ittihad broke the deadlock. A play initiated by Fabinho allowed Diaby to assist Al Shanqiti, who scored decisively. This goal would ultimately secure the victory for Al-Ittihad.

Al-Taawoun’s Response

• Despite being behind, Al-Taawoun struggled offensively with no shots on target out of seven attempts.
• Al-Ittihad maintained pressure with further attempts, including a close call from Hamed Al Ghamdi that hit the woodwork.
• Roger Fernandes had a chance to extend the lead but missed the target.

Statistical Overview

The overall match statistics highlight Al-Ittihad’s dominance:

Al-Ittihad’s Momentum and Challenges Ahead

Although Al-Ittihad still trails leaders Al-Nassr by eight points, the recent winning streak demonstrates potential for improvement. Al-Taawoun, on the other hand, has struggled, failing to score in their past four matches and experiencing a winless streak in January, consisting of three draws and two losses. This match ended Al-Taawoun’s impressive 12-game unbeaten run in the league, underscoring the challenges they face.