Riyadh Derby drama: 5 things we learned from Saudi Pro League return

RIYADH: There was plenty to talk about after the first full Saudi Professional League program since the World Cup.

With a third of the season over, here are five things Arab News learned.

1. Riyadh derby brings World Cup quality and excitement

In the biggest game of the day — not just in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Asia but arguably also the world — Al-Nassr drew 2-2 with Al-Hilal in their much-anticipated derby. The visitors, and defending champions, twice took the lead but were pegged back twice in what was an enthralling contest.

Some of the biggest names in the league, both foreign and domestic, made their mark in what was an entertaining game. Odion Ighalo, top scorer last season, got the first with a classic striker’s finish. There was a better goal early in the second half from this campaign’s current top scorer in Talisca, who picked up the ball outside the area and then fired home a low shot while on the run.

Then Salem Al-Dawsari scored from the penalty spot to give Al-Hilal a lead that would have put them top of the table but there was still time for Abdulrahman Gahreeb to side foot a volley home from just inside the area that earned the hosts a point and place them as league leaders. There is still a very long way to go however and with just three points separating the top five, it is impossible to predict what will happen and that is how it should be.

2. Al-Dawsari did what he could not do in Qatar

It seems a little strange. Just a month previously, Salem Al-Dawsari, the man who had given Saudi Arabia an unforgettable and historic win over Argentina with a spectacular goal, missed a penalty against Poland. If the ball had gone in then the score would have been 1-1 and the Green Falcons could have been