Al Ittihad Secures Victory Over Al Hazem Despite Playing an Hour with Ten Men

Al Ittihad, coached by Sérgio Conceição, achieved a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against Al Hazem in the 27th round of the Saudi Pro League, even after being reduced to ten men for more than half of the match.

The match saw Danilo Pereira starting for Al Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions. The game took a dramatic turn in the 34th minute when Moussa Diaby, the French winger, was sent off following an incident where he retaliated against an opponent after being fouled. This red card left Al Ittihad at a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the game.

Playing with one player fewer for over an hour, Al Ittihad demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline. Despite the setback, the team managed to break the deadlock late in the second half. Sérgio Conceição made a strategic decision by introducing Al Obud and Aouar off the bench in the 64th minute, which proved decisive.

Eight minutes after their introduction, Aouar delivered a precise through ball to Al Obud, who was well positioned to score past the goalkeeper, securing the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute. This goal not only sealed the victory but also marked a crucial moment as it ended Al Ittihad's three-game losing streak, which included two league defeats and a loss in the King’s Cup.

With this win, Al Ittihad climbed to sixth place in the Saudi Pro League standings, signaling a potential turnaround in form under Conceição’s management. The victory will likely boost the team’s confidence as they prepare for upcoming fixtures and aim to improve their position in the league table.

Looking ahead, Al Ittihad will seek to build on this positive result in their next league matches, while managing squad fitness and tactical adjustments. The impact of this win could influence their approach in both domestic league and cup competitions as the season progresses.