Al Riyadh vs Al Kholood Match Recap - Oct 23, 2025

Al Riyadh Strikes Gold against Al Kholood; Hope Rekindled in the Pro League

In a match that nobody quite expected, Al Riyadh secured a vital victory with a 1-0 win over Al Kholood at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on October 23, breathing new life into their struggling campaign. Just days prior, my prediction of another arduous outing for Al Riyadh seemed spot on, especially after their 1-4 defeat at Al Khaleej Saihat. But the unpredictable nature of football reigns supreme, reminding us that anything can happen in the beautiful game.

The lone goal came from Mamadou Sylla in the 26th minute, a finish that seemed to ignite the home crowd-and perhaps the spirits of his teammates-as they sought their first win at home this season. What had been a challenging foray into the Pro League transformed into a jubilant celebration, offering a much-needed morale boost for a team that had languished at the bottom of the standings.

From the outset, Al Riyadh appeared more resolute, capitalizing on a moment of defensive lapse from their opponents. Al Kholood, despite coming off an impressive 5-1 victory in their last match, struggled to find their rhythm. Their attacking prowess, spearheaded by Ramiro Enrique, was notably muted against a revitalized Al Riyadh defense, which finally looked composed and organized.

While Al Kholood had a solid start to the season, boasting nine points from their previous five matches, their failure to convert in this match exposed vulnerabilities that had been masked by their earlier successes. Their 8th place position, now at risk, loomed larger as they failed to find the net, marking only the second time this season they played without scoring.

The game's tempo often swung in favor of Al Kholood, who dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge required to break through an impenetrable wall of Al Riyadh defenders. As the clock wound down, desperation began to creep in. A late surge saw several attempts to equalize, but Al Riyadh stood firm.

With this hard-fought victory, Al Riyadh climbed to 12th place in the standings, now containing six points from their first six matches. The triumph signals not only a much-needed turnaround but also a reminder of the spirit that can take root through adversity. For Al Kholood, while they remain comfortably mid-table, this defeat serves as a timely wake-up call, highlighting the importance of consistency in their quest for a higher league finish.

Looking forward, Al Riyadh will seek to build on this momentum as they aim to claw their way out of the relegation zone, while Al Kholood must regroup quickly if they hope to sustain their position in the upper half of the table. The stakes are high, and with the unpredictability of the Pro League, there are sure to be more twists and turns ahead. As for my earlier assessment-let's just say that hoping for a rejuvenated Al Riyadh is certainly easier with the result now in hand.