Dynamic North African duo continues to inspire Al Fateh relegation escape

After a fourteen-match winless run that culminated with a humiliating 9-0 defeat to Al-Hilal, it seemed like an impossible task for Al Fateh to escape relegation from the Saudi Pro League. However, the club are now four points clear of the drop zone after Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Al Shabab.

At the center of Fateh’s revival is their North African attacking duo, Mourad Batna and Sofiane Bendebka. Batna, the 34-year-old former FUS Rabat star, was immense with a hand in all three goals which were scored in the opening sixteen minutes.

Batna’s 2nd minute corner kick was a perfect delivery to find Matias Vargas who applied the final touch with a powerful volley from close range. Less than two minutes it was the North African connection who doubled Fateh’s lead when Batna’s bouncing cross found Bendebka for a pinpoint strike from distance.

After Carlos Guanca pulled a goal back for Shabab in the 13th minute, Batna decided to do it all himself a few minutes later. The veteran attacker embarked on another shifty dribble run down the right wing before cutting inside to finish low with his left foot.

That was all Fateh needed, who held off Shabab for the remainder of the match to extend their ongoing unbeaten run to six matches. The Eastern Province club are now 11th in the 18-team league thanks to the stellar form of Batna (10 goals and 6 assists) and Bendebka (10 goals). Batna now has 6 goals and 5 assists in his last 11 matches.

Fateh have nine days off until their next match away at Al Wehda. With Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr among their final four opponents, the job of avoiding the drop is not done but Fateh are in peak form at the perfect time.