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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was on the scoresheet, but his early goal proved insufficient as Al Ittihad staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Al Kholood 4-3 in an enthralling Saudi Pro League clash on Saturday, Soccernet.football reports.
Al Kholood entered the contest in high spirits following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al-Raed, while Al Ittihad were eager to bounce back after suffering only their second league defeat of the season against Damac FC.
The game burst into life early on, with Al Kholood seizing the initiative. Troost-Ekong opened the scoring in the 15th minute, rising highest to meet a pinpoint delivery and nod home his second league goal of the season.
هددددددف⚽!
— SSC (@ssc_sports) February 1, 2025
الأول للضيوف.. رأسية إيكونغ تمنح الخلود التقدم⚽
الاتحاد 0 × 1 الخلود#دوري_روشن_السعودي#الاتحاد_الخلود | #SSC pic.twitter.com/K2IDuLmbTP
Just eight minutes later, Myziane Maolida doubled the lead with a composed finish, leaving Al Ittihad shell-shocked.
However, the visitors responded with grit and determination. Abdurahman Al-Obood pulled one back in the 35th minute with a clinical strike, injecting belief into his side.
Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, former Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn converted a crucial penalty to level the contest at 2-2, swinging momentum firmly in Al Ittihad’s favour.
https://youtu.be/81shQa4aWlw?si=ZfMJ0cRJ2mnm1DOf
Buoyed by their comeback, Al Ittihad picked up where they left off after the restart. Hasan Kadesh fired them ahead just two minutes into the second half with a well-taken effort, completing the turnaround. Bergwijn then struck again, netting his second of the match to give Al Ittihad a commanding 4-2 lead.
Al Kholood refused to go down without a fight, and Maolida halved the deficit late on with his second goal of the night.
However, their late push for an equaliser was in vain, as Al Ittihad held firm to secure a thrilling victory and three vital points.
The win lifted Al Ittihad to 46 points, putting them level with league leaders Al Hilal, though they remain in second place due to an inferior goal difference. Al Kholood, meanwhile, stay 12th in the standings with 19 points, maintaining a five-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Up next, Al Ittihad travel to face Al-Taawoun in a crucial away fixture as they seek to extend their winning run, while Al Kholood look to regroup when they host Al Riyadh in their next league outing.
