DAMMAM — Al Qadsiah and Al Ettifaq played out a tightly contested 1-1 draw in the Eastern Derby on Saturday night at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, as both sides saw their ambitions held in check in the Roshn Saudi League. Al Qadsiah, chasing a derby double over their east coast rivals, opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time. A teasing cross from Cameron Puertas on the left caught Al Ettifaq goalkeeper Marek Rodak off guard, and midfielder Mohammed Abu Al Shamat pounced on the loose ball to slot home and give the hosts a 1-0 lead. The fourth-placed side looked poised to build on their advantage early in the second half, but star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandered a golden opportunity at the back post, failing to test Rodak when unmarked. That miss proved costly as Al Ettifaq, led by coach Saad Al Shehri, responded just after the hour mark. A perfectly delivered free-kick from Vitinho found captain Georginio Wijnaldum, who headed in his 11th league goal of the season, beating Koen Casteels to level the match. Aubameyang threatened again with a late header, but Rodak stood firm, ensuring both sides walked away with a point. The result keeps Al Qadsiah in fourth place, now nine points behind league leaders Al Ittihad, who were set to face Al Ahli in the Sea Derby later that evening. Al Ettifaq, meanwhile, remain in eighth, continuing their push for a top-six finish in what has been a mixed campaign.
