September 15, (THEWILL) – Al Wehda returned to winning ways on Thursday, with a 4-2 victory over Damac FC in the Saudi Professional League as former Nigeria international, Odion Ighalo, scored a hat-trick to ensure the victory.
The match was played at the King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Makkah, and Al Wehda took the lead in the 17th minute through Ighalo. But the lead lasted just 19 minutes as the visitors equalised in the six minutes after the half-hour mark when Assan Ceesay beat Abdulquddus Atiah in the Al Wehda goal post.
The hosts restored their advantage in the first minute of added time when Ighalo scored his second goal of the night from the penalty spot after Damac were reduced to 10 men for a red card shown to Noor Al-Rashidi. It meant both teams went into the interval with Al Wehda having the upper hand with the 2-1 halftime score. They extended their lead in the 52nd minute, as Ighalo completed his hattrick in his man-of-the-match performance.
Australian winger, Craig Goodwin, fired in a right-footed shot from the centre of the opposition box in the 62nd minute to take Al Wehda’s tally to four goals. 10-man Damac struggled and succeeded in pulling one back in the 76th minute when Sultan Faqihi scored a consolation goal in the 83rd minute.
However, Damac could not find another goal and Al Wehda held on for a comfortable win. The result moved Al Wehda to seventh on the table with nine points from six games, while Damac is in 16th, and the third team from the bottom. Damac are next up against Al Hilal on Thursday, while Al Wehda welcome Abha to Sports City Stadium the next day.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
