Odion Ighalo: Nigerian striker scores ninth league goal for Al Hilal

By Wale Mustapha

Experienced Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo followed his four goals scored over the weekend for Al Hilal with another goal on Thursday in his side Saudi Arabia Premier League 3-3 draw at Al Wehda.

The six-goal thriller encounter played at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium in Mecca saw Al Hilal surrendering leads on three occasions.

Brazilian winger, Michael gave Al Hilal the lead inside the opening of the second minute when arrived on time in the box pick the pieces of a spill from Al Wehda goalkeeper, and placed it under the keeper.

The host restored parity in the 24th minute through Oscar Duarte who headed from a perfect free-kick delivery by Faycal Fajr as both sides had chances to add more goals before the end of the first but failed to convert.

The second half was more ferocious than the first as both teams added more bites to their attacks. However, it was Al-Hilal who make good use of it seven minutes into the restart when Ighalo outrun his marker into the box before jabbing home a curler pass from Vietto to restore their lead.

It didn’t take much time for the hosts to score their second of the night and make it 2-2 as Brazilian striker Alselmo followed up a tamed shot that was parried back to his path and chipped it over Mohammad Al Owais in goal for the visitors.

The game dragged on to the added minutes before more actions were recorded as both sides were still able to score one goal each. It was Al-Hilal who first get there in the 93rd minute as Saud Abdulhamid headed home from close range after Al Wehda keeper, Abdulquddus Atiah could not perfectly deal with an effort from Mohammed Kanno.

Al-Hilal would think they have secured all the match points with a second to end the game but the hosts never back down spirit saw them even the scoreline for the third time of the night.

Substitute Sultan Al Sawwadi took a half volley from the edge of the box and placed it beyond the stretch of Al Owais at the death.

The result, however denied Al Hilal an opportunity to gain more points as they will remain fourth on the log while Al Wehda used the point to move a place up on the log (12)

For Ighalo, he has increased his league goals to nine and one assist 13 league appearances this season.