Ramon Diaz inspires Al-Hilal: 5 things learned from latest round of Saudi Pro League action

RIYADH: Super Thursday saw the top four all in action in the Saudi Professional League and amid the goals and the talking points, here are five things learned.

1. Diaz provides Al-Hilal with classic new coach bounce

There had been some doubts about the wisdom of replacing Leonardo Jardim with Ramon Diaz, but the early signs were pretty emphatic as Al-Hilal thrashed local rivals Al-Shabab 5-0. The defending champions, who started the day in fourth, swept their second-placed rivals aside with three goals in the first half hour.

There had been some debate as to the best way to fit strikers Moussa Marega and Odion Ighalo into the lineup, but Diaz played them both and was well-rewarded as the pair got a pair each. The Argentine’s philosophy was simple: There is a lot of attacking talent in the ranks so get as much as it into the team as possible and get the ball to those players.

Ighalo, who left Al-Shabab just a few weeks ago, will get the headlines but Andre Carrillo repaid his fellow South American for the starting spot. It was the Peruvian’s delightful cross with the outside of the boot that was hooked home by the Nigerian for the opener. He then scored a beauty of a second, volleying the ball into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.

Soon after came the real turning point. Al-Shabab almost pulled one back as the ball bounced off Yasser Al-Shahrani’s knee and hit the Al-Hilal post. Moments later Marega scored at the other end. Instead of the scoreline being 2-1 it was 3-0 and there was no coming back from that. The result was impressive. It may just be that classic bounce after the appointment of a new coach, or it may just be the start of Al-Hilal’s late title challenge.

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