Saudi League: Al Nassr beats Al Ittihad, Al Tai and Abha relegated

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Al Hilal finished the Roshn Saudi Football League season undefeated after a 2-1 victory over Al Wehda on Monday, in the final and 34th round of the competition.

Al Hilal, which had already secured the league title several rounds earlier, raised its points to 96, securing the first place, while Al Wehda remained at 36 points in thirteenth place.

Al Hilal took the lead through Mohammed Kanno in the 19th minute before Yahya Al-Najei equalized for Al Wehda in the 77th minute. In the second minute of added time of the second half, Aleksandar Mitrovic scored Al Hilal's second goal.

In another match of the same round, Al Ittihad's hopes of qualifying for the Asian tournaments next season were dashed after losing to hosts Al Nassr 4-2.

Al Ittihad remained at 54 points in the fifth place, leaving the fourth spot to Al Taawoun, who will participate in next season's AFC Champions League, while Al Nassr increased its points to 82 to secure the second place.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored Al Nassr's first goal in the third minute of first-half stoppage time and added the second in the 69th minute.

In the 79th minute, Abdulrahman Ghareeb scored Al Nassr's third goal from a penalty, while Farha Al-Shamrani and Fabinho scored for Al Ittihad in the 88th minute and the second minute of stoppage time of the second half, respectively. Mashari Al-Namer scored Al Nassr's fourth goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time of the second half.

The final round also saw the relegation of Al Tai and Abha, joining Al Hazm. Al Tai lost to its direct competitor for relegation avoidance, Al Okhdoud, 2-0, freezing its points at 31 in seventeenth place (penultimate), compared to 33 points for Al Okhdoud in fifteenth place. On the other hand, Abha lost to Al Hazm 2-1, freezing its points at 32 in sixteenth place.

In other matches, Al Ahli defeated Al Fayha 1-0, Al Shabab defeated Al Fateh 3-2, Al Taawoun defeated Al Ettifaq 1-0, and Al Riyadh defeated Al Khaleej 2-1, while Damac and Al Raed drew 1-1.