In a decisive clash at the Department of Education Stadium, Al Taee emerged victorious over Al Arabi SC, securing a 3-0 win that could prove pivotal in their quest for redemption this season. The match, held on November 2, 2025, showcased a stark contrast between the two teams' recent forms and left Al Arabi grappling with questions about their strategy moving forward.
As the whistle blew to signal the start of the game, both teams were aware of the stakes involved. Al Arabi SC, sitting in 9th place with 8 points from six matches, had entered this fixture buoyed by two consecutive wins. Meanwhile, Al Taee, languishing in 14th with just 5 points, was desperate to shake off a recent heavy defeat against Al Ula. My pre-match prediction had suggested that Al Arabi would capitalize on their momentum; however, it quickly became clear that I had misjudged the resilience of Al Taee.
The first half unfolded without any goals but not without drama. Just before halftime, Al Arabi faced a setback when they received a red card in stoppage time at the 45-minute mark. This critical moment shifted the dynamics of the match and set up an uphill battle for Al Arabi as they headed into the locker room down a man.
With renewed energy after halftime and an extra player advantage, Al Taee took control of the game. Their breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Timon Knöll found the back of the net, putting his team ahead and igniting celebrations among their supporters. Knöll's performance has been noteworthy throughout this season; he previously scored twice in a commanding victory against Al Jubail just days earlier.
As if to underline their dominance, Al Taee added another goal deep into stoppage time at 90 +3 minutes. While details about who scored remain unclear, it capped off an impressive display that left no doubt about their superiority on this day.
The match also featured a penalty kick awarded to Al Taee during first-half stoppage time (45 +3), taken by Knöll himself. Although it did not result in a goal at that moment due to circumstances surrounding play leading up to it, it highlighted Al Taee's attacking intent and ability to create opportunities even under pressure.
For Al Arabi SC, this loss marks another disappointing chapter following their previous defeat against Abha just days prior. With only eight points from seven matches now played-two wins and five losses-their position is precarious as they prepare for an upcoming encounter against Jeddah Club on November 7.
On the other hand, this victory provides much-needed relief for Al Taee, who now have eight points from seven matches themselves-one win amid three losses and three draws overall. They will look to build on this momentum as they face Al Wehda Club next week.
This match served as more than just another fixture; it was emblematic of how quickly fortunes can change within Division 1 football. For both teams moving forward, every point counts as they navigate through what remains of this competitive season. As we reflect on today's events at Department of Education Stadium, one thing is certain: both clubs must regroup and recalibrate if they hope to achieve their respective goals before season's end.