KSAsportz report
RIYADH — In a stunning kickoff to the new season, Al Khaleej triumphed over Al Shabab with a decisive 4-1 victory in Riyadh, a result that caught many analysts off guard. The match featured standout performance from summer signing Joshua King, who previously played for Bournemouth and Everton.
According to recent stats, the victory marked Al Khaleej’s highest scoring match since the 2021-2022 season. King’s performance included a spectacular header just five minutes into the game, setting the tone for a remarkable outing.
Early in the second half, King was pivotal again, winning a penalty shot that was expertly converted by Konstantinos Fortounis. This put Al Khaleej ahead 2-0, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Al Shabab made a brief comeback with a penalty kick converted by Yannick Carrasco, but Saleh Al Amri quickly restored Al Khaleej’s two-goal cushion, demonstrating the team’s resilience.
King almost netted a jaw-dropping back-heel goal, but eventually secured his second of the match with a composed finish in the 82nd minute. Overall, the match saw Al Khaleej take 60% possession and make 15 shots, with 8 on target.
This debut was a memorable one for King, while Al Shabab, now under the management of Imanol Alguacil, is in search of answers following this unexpected setback.