Al-Hilal Edge Al-Hazm Late as Inzaghi Turns Attention to Al-Qadsiah and Asia
Al-Hilal returned to the top of the Saudi Roshn League after Gabriel Martinelli’s 89th-minute goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Hazm at Kingdom Arena. The result delivered three valuable points, but it did little to ease coach Simone Inzaghi’s frustration with his team’s finishing after a night of missed opportunities.
The Monday match, part of the league’s 10th round, appeared destined to end in a draw despite Al-Hilal’s sustained attacking pressure. The breakthrough finally arrived in the closing moments, when Brazilian winger Martinelli found the net and spared the home side from dropping points. The win lifted Al-Hilal to 24 points and restored the club’s position at the top of the standings.
Inzaghi praises the effort but criticizes the finishing
Speaking after the game, Inzaghi said his players had earned the victory through their performance, while acknowledging that their wastefulness in front of goal had made the contest far more difficult than it needed to be.
“The players deserved the win based on what they produced, but the missed chances were annoying,” the Italian coach said. His assessment reflected a match in which Al-Hilal controlled much of the attacking action but struggled to turn pressure into goals until the final minute.
Inzaghi pointed to the statistics as evidence of the team’s dominance—and its lack of efficiency. Al-Hilal registered 21 shots, yet only one produced the decisive goal. The figures underline the contrast at the heart of the performance: the Blues created enough chances to win comfortably, but their failure to convert them kept Al-Hazm in contention almost until the final whistle.
The coach also praised his squad’s commitment, focus and physical work across the match. Those qualities helped Al-Hilal maintain pressure and eventually find a breakthrough, even as the clock ran down. For a team competing on multiple fronts, however, converting chances more reliably could prove important in upcoming league and continental fixtures.
Late winner keeps the title race moving
Martinelli’s late strike carried more significance than simply deciding one match. With the Roshn League table tightly contested, every point can influence the race for first place, and Al-Hilal’s return to the summit gives the team a timely boost ahead of a demanding schedule.
The result also offers a useful reminder of the fine margins in football. Al-Hilal’s overall performance suggested they were the stronger side, but until the 89th minute, their missed chances left the outcome uncertain. A late goal can settle a game, yet the prolonged wait may also sharpen the coaching staff’s focus on attacking precision and decision-making in the final third.
For supporters, the finish brought relief and renewed momentum. For Inzaghi, it was a win to build on—but not a performance without lessons. Al-Hilal will need to balance their ability to create chances with greater composure in front of goal as the season progresses.
Al-Qadsiah next in a crucial league test
Al-Hilal’s attention now turns to Friday’s 11th-round meeting with Al-Qadsiah in Dammam. Inzaghi described the fixture as important to his side’s efforts to remain at the top of the Roshn League, with the team facing another opportunity to protect its position before switching focus to continental competition.
The match presents a fresh challenge away from Riyadh, where Al-Hilal will have to maintain the concentration and intensity that helped them overcome Al-Hazm. A win would strengthen their hold on first place, while another close contest could test the squad’s ability to manage pressure and make the most of its scoring opportunities.
Inzaghi also revealed that the team’s travel plans are designed around the tight turnaround between competitions. After heading to Dammam for the Al-Qadsiah match, Al-Hilal are expected to remain in the Eastern Province before travelling onward to Doha. The schedule highlights the logistical demands facing clubs that compete in both domestic and Asian tournaments.
Al-Shamal awaits in the AFC Champions League Elite
Following the league fixture, Al-Hilal will prepare for an away match against Qatar’s Al-Shamal on 27 October. The game is part of the third round of the West group in the AFC Champions League Elite, adding another important test to an already busy stretch.
The journey will take the squad from Riyadh to Dammam and then to Doha, leaving limited time for recovery and preparation. Travel, training and player fitness will therefore be central considerations for Inzaghi and his coaching staff. Managing the squad carefully could be just as important as tactical planning, particularly with domestic points and continental progress both at stake.
Al-Hilal’s recent victory provides a positive starting point for the trip, but the team will want to address the finishing problems exposed against Al-Hazm. Against Al-Shamal, a more clinical performance could help the Blues avoid another late scramble and gain valuable momentum in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al-Hilal prediction: confidence, with finishing the key question
Any football prediction for Al-Hilal’s next fixtures must account for both the team’s strengths and the challenge of a congested schedule. The late win over Al-Hazm showed that the side can keep pushing until the final moments, while its 21 shots demonstrated an ability to create attacking opportunities. The main concern is whether those chances will be converted more efficiently.
Al-Hilal will enter the Al-Qadsiah match with confidence after reclaiming top spot, but an away fixture followed by a continental trip leaves little room for complacency. If Inzaghi’s players maintain their work rate and improve their accuracy in front of goal, they will have a strong platform for the week ahead. For now, Martinelli’s 89th-minute finish has delivered the points—and given Al-Hilal a timely reminder that persistence can decide even the most frustrating matches.
