In a thrilling contest at the Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium on October 31, 2025, Al-Ettifaq and Al-Hazm shared the spoils in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match, which saw a significant shift in momentum and emotion, underscores the struggles both teams face as they navigate the murky waters of the Pro League standings.
The scoring opened early, with Khalid Al-Ghannam putting Al-Ettifaq ahead in the 14th minute. His strike gave the home team a glimmer of hope and sent fans into a frenzy. However, Al-Hazm had other plans, displaying resilience and determination despite their recent form suggesting a struggle for survival in the league.
The match took a pivotal turn when Moussa Dembélé of Al-Ettifaq was shown a red card in the 57th minute, forcing his team to defend with ten men. This dismissal rattled the home side, and Al-Hazm seized the chance. Just six minutes later, Fábio Martins equalized for the visitors in the 63rd minute, followed quickly by another goal from Omar Al-Somah in the 65th minute. A mere glance at the scoreboard began to paint a grim picture for Al-Ettifaq, who suddenly found themselves trailing 2-1.
It seemed as though the match would slip away from the home side, leaving them with a disappointing draw and continuing their streak of poor results. But just when it appeared that Al-Hazm would take all three points, Mohau Nkota struck in the dying moments of the match-at the 90th minute, to be precise-curing Al-Ettifaq's despair and securing a draw. The late equalizer revitalized the atmosphere, as home fans erupted in joy, albeit mixed with relief.
Both teams have had a rocky season thus far. Al-Ettifaq sits 11th in the league with seven points after six matches, while Al-Hazm languishes in 14th place with just five points. The draw today means that neither team has significantly improved their league position, but it could mark a turning point for Al-Ettifaq, who desperately needed a morale boost.
Reflecting on my pre-match predictions, I must admit I underestimated the grit displayed by Al-Hazm in the second half of the match. I suggested that Al-Ettifaq might assert their dominance, but the reality was far different. In the wake of Dembélé's red card, it became clear that sometimes a team led by necessity can surprise and fight fiercely for every point.
Looking ahead, Al-Ettifaq will face Al Shabab on November 8, determined to convert this hard-earned point into momentum for the upcoming match. For Al-Hazm, they will play against Al Khaleej Saihat on November 6, hoping to build on today's performance and finally secure a win that has eluded them for too long.
As both teams reflect on today's action, they know that each point counts in the cutthroat environment of the Pro League. With only a few matches remaining in the first half of the season, every game becomes critical-especially for clubs finding their footing in this highly competitive league.