Al-Suqour took a 2:0 victory over Al-Faisaly in the Pro League on Thursday evening, extending their advantage in what is already becoming a familiar pattern between the two sides. The visitors had beaten Al-Faisaly 3:1 just three days earlier, and this time they were the ones who finished on top of the scoreboard. Lacazette was the man who made the difference, scoring twice in quick succession to put his team in control of the match.
Al-Faisaly thought they had taken the lead twice in the first half, but both goals were cancelled by VAR. Seoane and Bongonda were ruled offside in the same minute, and the frustration must have been palpable. By then Al-Faisaly had already worked 58 percent of the possession, but without the goals to show for it. And here's the thing — possession means little when you are not finding the net.
Lacazette broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, and he doubled his tally nine minutes later. Two goals, one player, and suddenly the match was over as a contest. Al-Faisaly had 393 successful passes to 280, but the difference in quality was measured in goals, not numbers. To be fair, the visitors had fewer shots on target — three each — but they converted when it mattered.
Bongonda picked up a yellow card in the 37th minute, and Bassogog followed in the 56th. Al-Faisaly had 7 fouls to 15, but the cards told a different story. The home side had 3 offside calls, 1 blocked shot, and 1 goalkeeper save. Al-Suqour had 2 offside calls, 1 blocked shot, and 3 saves. The statistics are there, but they do not tell you everything.
Al-Faisaly sit 18th in the table with 1 point from 4 games, while Al-Suqour occupy 5th place with 9 points from 5 matches. The visitors have won 3 of their 5 games and have not lost to Al-Faisaly in either meeting this month. By then the visitors were already establishing themselves as the stronger side, and this result only reinforced that impression.
Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half, with Al-Faisaly making four changes and Al-Suqour making three. Lacazette was replaced in the 79th minute after his double, and the home side brought on Al Absi in stoppage time. The match ended 2:0, and there was nothing left to play for.