NAJRAN, SAUDI ARABIA — Everything pointed toward an Al Okhdood victory at Prince Hathloul Bin Abdulaziz Sport City Stadium, except the scoreline. Damac snatched all three points with a 0-1 triumph, defying the statistical narrative as Valentín Vada's early strike condemned the hosts to a frustrating afternoon that ended with them reduced to nine men.
The decisive moment arrived with barely five minutes on the clock. Vada found space on the edge of the area and finished clinically, giving Damac goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba a lead to protect for the remaining 85 minutes. It proved to be the only goal the visitors would need, though Al Okhdood spent the rest of the match desperately searching for an equalizer that never materialized.
Al Okhdood enjoyed the majority of possession at 56.3% and peppered Zeghba's goal with 12 shots compared to Damac's six, yet the visitors' defensive organization held firm. The hosts created eight corners to Damac's five and managed four shots on target, but Zeghba stood tall when called upon, making four crucial saves to preserve his side's slender advantage. At the other end, Al Okhdood's goalkeeper only needed to make two stops, highlighting Damac's efficiency in front of goal despite their limited opportunities.
The statistics told a different story than the scoreboard, with Al Okhdood dominating possession and chances but Damac taking all three points. The hosts' frustration manifested in 10 fouls compared to Damac's seven, and Mateo Borrell picked up a yellow card in the 20th minute as tensions rose. Abdelkader Bedrane received Damac's only booking a minute earlier, but the visitors maintained their composure while Al Okhdood's discipline crumbled.
The turning point came deep into stoppage time when Al Okhdood were reduced to nine men. Saleh Al Abbas, who had entered as a substitute in the 59th minute, saw red in the 94th minute, extinguishing any lingering hopes of salvaging a point. Saleh Al-Harthi had already been cautioned in the 82nd minute, and the hosts' afternoon unraveled completely in those chaotic final moments. Manager adjustments throughout the match—including early changes forced by Abdulaziz Al Hatila's 26th-minute substitution—failed to unlock Damac's stubborn rearguard.
Looking ahead, Al Okhdood will host Al Ettifaq on January 2 seeking to bounce back from this disappointing defeat, while Damac face a stern test when they host league powerhouses Al Hilal on the same date.