Ollie Watkins delivered a commanding performance to guide Al-Hilal to a 3-2 victory over Al-Ittihad in Saturday's Saudi Roshn League encounter at the Kingdom Arena, yet the English striker left the pitch with lingering concerns about referee Khaled Al-Turais's decision-making.
Watkins proved instrumental in the eighth-round clash, registering a goal and two assists in a match that showcased the intensity of this Arabian Gulf rivalry. The striker netted Al-Hilal's second goal in the 30th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Portuguese centre-back Danilo Pereira. Beyond his direct contribution, Watkins orchestrated the opening and closing goals for teammates Gabriel Martinelli and Crysencio Summerville, demonstrating his all-around influence on the encounter.
A Goal Disallowed and Questions Raised
Despite the commanding three-point haul, Watkins expressed frustration with a controversial decision that denied him a second goal late in the first half. The official ruled out what appeared to be a legitimate finish, citing a handball offence. "Honestly, I scored another goal, but unfortunately it was disallowed," Watkins told Thmanyah channels post-match. "I know it was a difficult decision, and I will not comment on it, but I felt it was a valid goal."
The 28-year-old English forward emphasized Al-Hilal's quality while acknowledging the competitive nature of top-of-the-table fixtures in the Saudi league. "It was a high-level match, especially as we had just returned from the international break," he stated. "There is a lot of noise and celebrations, but the most important thing is that we took the three points." His composure on the pitch extended to his finishing, where he demonstrated sharp positional awareness and reading of Ruben Neves's crossing patterns to punish Pereira's sluggish reactions.
With Al-Hilal consolidating their title credentials through Round 8, attention now turns to their next fixture as the Roshn League campaign gathers momentum.
