Al-Shabab have won their first match of 2021-22 Saudi Pro League season after overcoming Al-Hazem 2-0 at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium on Sunday night.
Former Manchester United forward Odion Ighalo scored both goals to give his team its first win in the campaign’s fourth round of matches.
Ighalo delivered his team the perfect start with a goal after just three minutes, but Al-Shabab’s mission became significantly harder when their Brazilian midfielder Paulinho was sent off with three minutes left in the first half.
A missed penalty by Al-Hazem at 58 minutes maintained Al-Shabab’s slender lead until injury time, when their Nigerian forward struck again to secure the points.
The result saw Al-Shabab jump to 10th place in the table with four points, having previously lost against Abha (2-1) and Al-Fateh (2-0) in rounds one and three, and drawing their second match of the season 3-3 against Al-Ettifaq.
Al-Hazem remain on two points in 15th place.
Meanwhile Al-Ahli’s winless streak has now stretched to six matches over almost five months after a 1-1 away draw against Al-Taawoun.
The home team took the lead after nine minutes through Leandre Tawamba, but Al-Ahli equalized through Paulinho, this summer’s Brazilian signing from Guangzhou F.C.
Al-Ahli — ninth in the SPL — have now drawn their last six matches in all competitions, stretching back to April. Their last win came against Al-Shorta of Iraq in the AFC Champions League group stage on April 24.
