Damac Finally Wins a Game After Hard-Fought Victory Away to Al Okhdood
Damac finally won a Saudi Pro League match in their fifth attempt. The 2-1 win came against hosts Al Okhdood, who fought valiantly and were disappointed not to get anything out of the game.
It was the perfect start for the visitors. In the tenth minute, Abdulaziz Al Bishi passed the ball to Nicolae Stanciu, who made no mistakes and scored the match’s first goal. This was Noureddine Zekri’s first match since the “survival specialist” took the reigns at Al Okhdood. He watched as Florin Tanase wasted a chance to get back into the game, with Damac goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba making an athletic save.
The hosts’ defenses failed again in the 36th minute when Domagoj Antolic headed a cross from a corner to put Damac up 2-0. With their seven-match winless run leading to Zekri’s appointment, Al Okhdood needed a reaction. They delivered for their new manager, with Saeed Al Rubaie scoring from close range to make it 2-1 and keep the game within reach.
A rejuvenated Al Okhdood started dictating the tempo to get an equalizer. Winger Saviour Godwin had his shot saved in the 60th minute and struck the ball off-target minutes later. Zeghba was on hand to secure the three points for Damac with a bottom-corner save of a 71st-minute freekick.
With this result, Damac remains in the eight with 38 points, three points clear of night-placed Al Shabab. Al Okhdood is still in the relegation zone with 24 points, two points off safety.
