A Karl Toko Ekambi Goal Helps Al Ettifaq End Three-Match Winless Run Against Al Riyadh
Al Ettifaq finally won a Saudi Pro League match at the fourth time of asking with a 1-0 home win against Al Riyadh.
The home side almost fell behind in the opening minutes when Al Riyadh striker Saleh Al Abbas chased an Abdulelah Al Khaibari pass but Al Ettifaq goalkeeper Paulo Victor got there first and stifled the danger.
In the 11th minute, Karl Toko Ekambi deftly controlled a Jack Hendry long ball and smashed it to make it 1-0 for Al Ettifaq. This was the Cameroonian international’s eighth goal of the 2023/24 season. Toko Ekambi thought he’d made it 2-0 but a foul on the Al Riyadh goalkeeper in the buildup led to the goal being disallowed.
Al Riyadh did not let the goal deter them. They continued to create chances, with Andre Gray testing Paulo Victor. Luckily for the hosts, the Brazilian was up to the challenge and collected the fierce shot with ease.
The Ekambi goal offered Al Ettifaq much-needed confidence, which translated to domination of the match. Al Ettifaq was aggressive on the ball to stifle Al Riyadh’s plays and accumulated a total of 14 fouls compared to the visitors’ 8. With the win, Al Ettifaq is sixth on the charts, with Al Riyadh in 14th, with only three points separating them from the relegation zone.
