Saudi Pro League: Dramatic Night Delivers First Wins in Round Nine
The Saudi Roshn League produced a memorable opening to its ninth round, even with four of the competition’s biggest clubs missing from the schedule. Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli were all absent after three fixtures were postponed, including the highly anticipated Al Ahli–Al Nassr clash.
The other postponed matches were Al Hilal against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad versus Al Shabab. Their absence might have been expected to take some of the spotlight away from the round, but the teams that did play made sure the night was anything but quiet. Three clubs claimed their first league victories of the campaign, with late goals, a hat-trick and a dramatic comeback providing plenty for football fans to discuss.
Al Faisaly Break Through Behind Mendy Hat-Trick
Al Faisaly began the night’s run of first wins with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Al Kholood. The newly promoted side had endured a difficult start to life in the Roshn League, recording three draws and four defeats in their opening seven matches. This result finally gave them the breakthrough they had been seeking.
Alexander Mendy was the decisive figure. The Guinea-Bissau forward scored all three of Al Faisaly’s goals, turning a tense contest into a landmark result for his team. A hat-trick is always a headline-making achievement, but this one carried added importance: it delivered Al Faisaly’s first win of the season and offered a timely boost to a squad fighting to climb away from the bottom of the table.
The three points lifted Al Faisaly to 15th place with six points. Their position remains precarious, but the victory changes the mood around the club. After several matches without a win, the team can now approach its next fixture with renewed confidence and a clearer sense of what it takes to compete in the division.
Al Khaleej End Their Wait Against Al Feiha
Al Khaleej also found their first victory of the campaign, defeating visiting Al Feiha 2-0. The result ended a frustrating run in which six draws and two defeats had left the club searching for a way to turn competitive performances into three points.
Rather than settling for another share of the points, Al Khaleej made their opportunity count. A clean sheet provided an important foundation, while their two goals ensured there was no late uncertainty about the outcome. The win moved them to 11th in the standings on nine points, giving the side some breathing room and a welcome reward for its persistence.
For Al Feiha, the defeat was a reminder of how quickly a match can shift when a team fails to make its attacking moments count. Al Khaleej, meanwhile, will hope the result marks the start of a more consistent spell rather than a one-night improvement.
Al Fateh Complete a Late Comeback
The most dramatic finish came in Al Fateh’s meeting with Al Hazem. Al Fateh were trailing 2-1 before producing a late turnaround to win 3-2, transforming a match that appeared to be slipping away into a crucial moment in their season.
Moroccan star Mourad Batna played a central role in the comeback, helping inspire Al Fateh as they pushed for a result in the closing stages. The victory was particularly significant because Al Fateh had entered the match without a win, following three draws and five defeats. Their first success required patience, resilience and a strong finish—qualities they will need to maintain if they are to move up the table.
The three points took Al Fateh to six, placing them 16th. That remains a challenging position, but a comeback win can have an impact beyond the standings. It can restore belief in the dressing room and show players that a difficult match is not over until the final whistle.
Round Nine Prediction: Pressure Shifts to the Remaining Clubs
With Al Faisaly, Al Khaleej and Al Fateh finally recording victories, 16 teams in the current Saudi Roshn League season have now won at least one match. Only Al Taawoun and Abha are still waiting to get off the mark.
Neither side faces a straightforward opportunity in the remainder of the round. Abha are scheduled to travel to Al Qadsiah on Friday, while Al Taawoun visit Al Diriyah on Saturday. Those fixtures will draw extra attention because both winless clubs now have the pressure of responding to the results already produced by their rivals.
Any football prediction for these matches must account for more than league position. A first win can change a team’s confidence, while the expectation of finally securing one can add pressure. Abha will need to handle the challenge of an away fixture against Al Qadsiah, and Al Taawoun must find a way to turn their own performance into a result on the road at Al Diriyah.
A Competitive Season Takes Another Turn
The opening night of the ninth round showed that the Saudi Pro League can deliver compelling football even when several of its most prominent clubs are not in action. Mendy’s three-goal performance, Al Khaleej’s composed home win and Al Fateh’s late rally each offered a different kind of breakthrough.
The postponed fixtures will eventually bring Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli back into the conversation, but this round has already highlighted the importance of the league’s broader competition. For clubs near the foot of the table, one victory can reshape confidence and create momentum. The next test is whether these first wins become the beginning of a recovery—or remain isolated highlights in a demanding season.
