Damac Snatch Late Draw Despite Red Card and Siege
Key Takeaways
- Damac held Al Qadsiah to a 1-1 draw despite finishing with nine men
- Valentin Vada's fourth-minute opener cancelled by Mateo Retegui's first-half stoppage-time equalizer
- Al Qadsiah dominated with 69.9% possession and 18 corners but lacked cutting edge
- Damac goalkeeper Kewin made five crucial saves in heroic rearguard action
DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia — Damac goalkeeper Kewin stood as an impenetrable wall, making five crucial saves to preserve a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Al Qadsiah at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, even as his side finished the fiery encounter with nine men following Abdul Rahman Al Khaibari's 79th-minute dismissal.
Valentin Vada stunned the hosts in just the fourth minute, capitalizing on a rare Damac foray forward to give the visitors an unlikely lead. The Argentine midfielder's clinical finish silenced the home support and set the tone for what would become a backs-to-the-wall defensive masterclass. Al Qadsiah's response came in first-half stoppage time when Mateo Retegui finally breached Damac's stubborn resistance, prodding home in the 46th minute to level proceedings and set up a siege in the second half.
The tactical battle became increasingly one-sided as Al Qadsiah dominated the ball with 69.9% possession, pinning Damac back for long stretches. The hosts launched 17 shots at goal compared to Damac's meager six, yet time and again found Kewin in inspired form. The Brazilian shot-stopper threw himself across his goal line, palmed away dangerous efforts, and commanded his penalty area with authority. Al Qadsiah's pressure yielded an astonishing 18 corners, but Damac's defensive organization, marshaled by Abdelkader Bedrane, held firm despite the relentless bombardment.
Al Qadsiah peppered the goal with wave after wave of attacks, managing six shots on target to Damac's three, yet the final ball consistently eluded them. Mohammed Aboulshamat and Saif Rashad Mohamed, introduced in the 72nd minute, tried to unlock the stubborn defense, while Abdullah Al-Salem joined the fray late in search of a winner. The referee was busy throughout, brandishing six cards in a feisty affair that saw tensions boil over repeatedly.
The turning point arrived in the 79th minute when Abdul Rahman Al Khaibari saw red, reducing Damac to nine men and seemingly opening the floodgates for Al Qadsiah. Yet even with numerical superiority, the hosts couldn't find the breakthrough. Kewin continued his heroics, while Jesús Medina, brought on in the 68th minute, helped shore up the midfield gaps. The final 15 minutes became a desperate defensive stand, with Damac throwing bodies in front of shots and clearing everything into the stands.
The statistics painted a picture of complete Al Qadsiah dominance, yet football's cruel beauty shone through as Damac's resilience earned an unlikely point. Valentin Vada picked up a yellow card in first-half stoppage time, while Morlaye Sylla, Bedrane, and Kewin all found their way into the referee's book as frustrations mounted. Hassan Rabea and Sanousi Al Hawsawi entered in the 83rd minute to help run down the clock, with Yahya Naji and Khaled Al Samiri following in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Looking ahead, Al Qadsiah will host Al Shabab on December 31, while Damac host Al Okhdood on December 30.