Match Report:
NEOM S.C. Defeats Al-Okhdood for Historic First Home Win

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – September 18, 2025 – NEOM S.C. claimed a second straight win in the Roshn Saudi League, racking up six points from three matches. The club’s first victory and debut game was on home soil playing against Al Okhdood club at King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk. The match saw a single goal by Abdulmalik Al-Ayyeri at the 28th minute of the game, making it the club’s second win after defeating Damac in the last round.

First Half: Strong early possession and a breakthrough 

NEOM S.C. started strong, pressing forward from the opening whistle. In the 2nd minute, Abdulaziz Noor was flagged offside on the team’s first attempt. Continued pressure won NEOM S.C. an early corner, but it drifted long, and the attack ended with a foul against Luciano Rodríguez.

In the 7th minute, Amadou Koné sent a powerful shot from the penalty box that was off target near the left post.

Play then slowed into a more balanced rhythm, with Al Okhdood leading a few cautious attacks. NEOM S.C. soon reclaimed control, and by the 20th minute Simon Bouabre broke forward on a dangerous solo run, only for his final touch to run long and result in a goal kick for Al Okhdood.

NEOM S.C. then earned a free kick on the left wing. Al-Ayyeri met the cross with a header which was saved with a degree of difficulty by Al Okhdood goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. Soon after, Al-Ayyeri won another free-kick on the right wing. This time Abdulaziz Noor delivered the cross from the free kick, but Abdoulaye Doucouré’s header landed clear of the net. 

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute with a smart exchange that ended with Doucouré making an assist to Al-Ayyeri who took a strong shot from the penalty arc to score the goal.

In the 32nd minute, Koné delivered a powerful shot that was diverted out of bounds by Al Okhdood goalkeeper resulting in a corner kick. 

With 15 minutes left in the first half, Al Okhdood pressed for an equalizer with several unsuccessful efforts. The tempo of the game then slowed down due to recurrent fouls from both teams and several stoppages.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Fares Abdi denied a dangerous effort by Al Okhdood which resulted in a corner kick. A minute later, Gökhan Gül attempted a long-range shot that flew wide of the post.

Second Half: Defense stands firm

The second half opened with renewed intensity from NEOM S.C. who created two chances that unsettled Al Okhdood’s defense. 

In the 51st minute, Doucouré received a yellow card for a midfield foul. A minute later, Noor took a shot from the penalty arc but was denied by the post.

In the 54th minute, captain Ahmed Hegazi went for a header inside the box, but Al Okhdood’s keeper saved it. The visitors made multiple attempts for an equalizer, but Hegazi cleared the ball in the 64th minute, and then NEOM’s goalkeeper Luis Maximiano repelled another effort a minute later.

Head coach Galtier substituted Abdulziz Noof with Ali Al Asmari in the 74th minute. 

Al Okhdood pushed hard for an equalizer, but NEOM team’s defense held firm, with Fares Abadi, and Maximiano stopping all attempts, and Nathan Zézé later putting an end to a dangerous corner kick.

Maximiano again showed sharp reflexes by repelling a threatening cross in the 83rd minute. For the second substitution, Hassan Al-Ali entered the game at the 85th minute, replacing Simon Bouabre. At the 86th minute, Al-Ayyeri took a strong shot from outside the box was but unsuccessful. A minute later, he received a yellow card.

In the final minutes, Galtier used the last two substitutions, bringing into the field Abbas Al-Hassan and Mohammed Al Buraik to replace Luciano and Doucouré.

In the final stoppage time (90+3), Al Okhdood’s Pedroza received a second yellow card and was sent off with a red after he fouled Koné. The foul resulted in a free kick for NEOM outside the penalty area. When Al Buraik stepped forward to take it, the shot from his right foot was turned away with difficulty by Al Okhdood’s the goalkeeper. 

The final whistle sealed a hard-fought 1-0 victory, giving NEOM S.C. valuable momentum and morale boost in the beginning of the season