In the Saudi Pro League, Nigerian international Odion Ighalo scored for the fifth game in a row as Al Hilal defeated Al Ittihad 1-0.
Al Hilal started the game at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium as the strongest team, especially in the opening exchanges. The Super Eagle missed a chance to score in the sixth minute when he had a one-on-one opportunity.
After a deft ball from Delgado de Oliveira, Ighalo made apologies in the 12th minute as he made a move to avoid the offside trap and score past Marcelo Grohe.
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Ighalo’s glancing header from Salem Aldawsari’s corner in the second half went just wide, and that was his final action until Ramon Diaz replaced him with Luciano Vietto in the 89th minute.
The Super Eagle is one of the candidates for the Golden Boot after scoring in five straight Saudi Premier League games.
The former Manchester United forward began his recent scoring streak in the 3-2 win over Al-Ta’ee on October 15. He continued it with goals in the 3-1 win over Al-Batin on December 16, the 2-2 draw with Al Nassr on December 26, the 2-2 draw with Damac on December 31, and now the 1-0 victory over Al Ittihad.
In his first 12 league games, Ighalo has eight goals and one assist. At the 2-0 victory over Al Khaleej on August 22 at Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium, he made his Al Hilal debut.
When Al Hilal and Al Raed square off in a league match on Tuesday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, he will be hoping to increase the number of goals on his total.