Despite Karim Benzema strike, Al-Ittihad stumble again in the Saudi Pro League

JEDDAH: Karim Benzema returned to the Al-Ittihad line-up on Thursday but could not lead the team back to winning ways in the Roshn Saudi League as the defending champions were held to a 2-2 draw by lowly Al-Hazm. 

Twice the Tigers took the lead and twice they were pegged back by the impressive visitors and it is now four games in the league without a win. Much more of this and chances of a second successive title will soon fade. It leaves the Tigers in fifth, five points behind Al-Hilal in first after having played a game more.

It had been looking so positive. Fresh after a 1-0 win at home to Al Quwa Al Jawiya of Iraq in the Asian Champions League on Monday, the Jeddah giants were on top from the start against the visitors who had moved off the bottom of the table five days earlier with a first win of the season. Despite having the worst defensive record in the league, the Ar Rass outfit worked hard to deny Benzema, who had missed the continental clash earlier in the week through injury, any supply.

The opening goal was made in France and full of quality. N’Golo Kante won possession just inside the Al-Hazm half and then found Benzema, screaming for the pass, on the left side of the area. The former Real Madrid marksman cut inside Paulo Ricardo to unleash a powerful shot high into the net.

There was plenty of relief at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium but the second goal would not come. Al-Hazm have found their shooting boots of late and had tested goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe more than once and eventually found a way through just after the hour. 

Majed Qasheesh sent over a curling cross from the left and, as it bounced on the edge of the six-yard box, Mohammed Faud Al-Thani reacted quicker than anyone else to stab