William Troost-Ekong played a crucial role in Al Kholood’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, delivering a decisive assist deep into stoppage time.
The Nigerian international set up Myziane Maolida for the winning goal in the 100th minute, ensuring his side moved out of the relegation zone.
The match unfolded with high drama as Jackson Muleka put Al Kholood ahead from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, only for Georginio Wijnaldum to equalize four minutes later with a close-range finish assisted by Moussa Dembélé.
Maolida restored Al Kholood’s lead in the 54th minute before Dembélé struck again, converting a 96th-minute penalty to make it 2-2. However, Troost-Ekong’s composure under pressure allowed him to assist Maolida’s second goal, a stunning strike from outside the box, sealing a vital victory for Al Kholood.
Troost-Ekong’s impressive performance
The 31-year-old centre-back played the full 90 minutes and showcased his defensive solidity and leadership throughout. He registered five clearances, one blocked shot, and one interception.
Troost-Ekong won all two of his ground duels and claimed one aerial duel out of two attempts, demonstrating his effectiveness in key moments.
Offensively, his contribution was equally significant. He had a blocked shot in the 46th minute and provided his only assist in the dying moments, underlining his ability to influence the game on both ends of the pitch.
The win lifted Noureddine Zekri’s side to 13th place in the league table with 13 points from 14 games, just one point above 16th-placed Al-Wehda, who boast Odion Ighalo in their ranks. With 16 games remaining in the season, the relegation battle remains tight, as no team from 8th place downward is mathematically safe.
Al Kholood will host Al Ahli in their next league game on Wednesday, aiming to build on this momentum.
