DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA — Al Ettifaq secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Al Okhdood at Al Ettifaq Club Stadium, with Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum delivering a match-winning performance. The home side controlled proceedings from start to finish, dominating possession at 63.8% and pinning Al Okhdood back for long stretches. The result provided Al Ettifaq with a crucial confidence boost after a mixed run of form, while Al Okhdood's struggles on the road continued.
Wijnaldum broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a composed finish that rewarded Al Ettifaq's sustained pressure. The former Liverpool and PSG star found space inside the box and slotted home clinically, giving Al Okhdood goalkeeper Paulo Victor no chance despite his inspired performance throughout the match. The goal came after Al Ettifaq had peppered the visitors' goal relentlessly, with Victor making a string of impressive saves to keep his side in contention. Wijnaldum then sealed the victory from the penalty spot in the 76th minute, sending Victor the wrong way with a confident strike that put the result beyond doubt.
The tactical battle was decidedly one-sided, with Al Ettifaq's midfield controlling the tempo and dictating play. Wijnaldum orchestrated attacks with his trademark composure, while Abdullah Khateeb provided defensive steel in front of the back four, though his physical approach earned him a yellow card in the 57th minute. Al Okhdood struggled to establish any rhythm, managing just seven shots compared to Al Ettifaq's 15, and rarely threatened goalkeeper Marek Rodák, who was called into action just twice. The visitors' defensive organization held firm until the breakthrough, but they lacked the attacking quality to trouble their hosts.
Al Ettifaq were clinical when it mattered, putting nine of their 15 shots on target and forcing Al Okhdood's goalkeeper into action seven times. The home side also dominated set pieces, winning eight corners to Al Okhdood's three, though they couldn't capitalize on those opportunities before Wijnaldum's breakthrough. Al Okhdood managed just two shots on target from their seven attempts, highlighting their struggles to create genuine scoring chances against a well-organized Al Ettifaq defense.
The turning point arrived in the 54th minute when Wijnaldum's opener finally broke Al Okhdood's resistance. Until that moment, Paulo Victor had kept his team in the contest with a series of crucial saves, denying Koka and other Al Ettifaq attackers. Once the deadlock was broken, Al Okhdood's defensive structure crumbled, and their attempts to push forward left them vulnerable to the penalty that Wijnaldum converted with aplomb. Manager Steven Gerrard's decision to introduce fresh legs through substitutions, including Radhi Al-Otaibi and Meshal Sibyani in the 78th minute, helped Al Ettifaq maintain control during the final stages.
The match remained competitive in terms of physicality, with both sides committing 11 fouls each, though Al Ettifaq's two yellow cards reflected their occasional frustration when Al Okhdood slowed the tempo. Faris Al Ghamdi received a late booking in the 98th minute as tensions rose during stoppage time, but by then the points were safely secured.
Al Ettifaq will host Al Najma on January 8, while Al Okhdood will look to bounce back when they host Al Ahli on the same date.