Al-Taawoun secured their place in next season's AFC Champions League Two after a 1-1 draw with Al-Riyadh on Friday night. The result was enough to confirm their qualification for Asia's second-tier club competition.
Match Summary
The first half ended goalless, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Al-Riyadh broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Leonardo Antunes found the net, silencing the home crowd. However, Al-Taawoun responded quickly, with Roger Martinez converting a penalty just six minutes later to level the score. Despite pushing for a winner, Al-Taawoun could not find the breakthrough, leaving the match at 1-1.
League Implications
The draw leaves Al-Taawoun sixth in the Saudi Pro League table with 53 points from 33 matches, two points behind fifth-placed Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand. Al-Ittihad, the outgoing champions, are on 55 points from 32 games. Al-Taawoun's failure to break into the top five means they miss out on a higher finish, but coach Pericles Chamusca will be pleased with the continental qualification.
For Al-Riyadh, the result is a blow as they now sit in the relegation zone. They need to win their final match and hope other results go their way to avoid the drop. Earlier, Damac defeated Al-Fayha 3-0 to leapfrog Al-Riyadh into 15th place, just outside the relegation zone. Al-Fayha remain in 10th position.
Looking Ahead
Al-Taawoun will now focus on their final league fixture before preparing for the AFC Champions League Two, where they will represent Saudi Arabia. The team's performance this season has been solid, and they will aim to make an impact in Asia.
