Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — Al Hilal’s bid to chase down league leaders Al Ittihad suffered another blow on Friday after a 1-1 draw against Al Ettifaq in Round 27 of the Roshn Saudi League.

The Riyadh giants dropped two more crucial points in the title race, moving to 58 points, now seven behind Al Ittihad, and only four ahead of third-placed Al Nassr.

Al Ettifaq, meanwhile, climbed to 37 points in eighth place, holding their own in a lively encounter at home.

João Costa opened the scoring for Ettifaq in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a lapse in Hilal’s defense.

But Malcom pulled one back for the visitors in the 57th minute, finishing a well-worked move to level the match.

Despite applying pressure in the final stages, Hilal failed to find a winner — a result that leaves their title hopes hanging by a thread, especially with only seven rounds remaining and Al Ittihad showing more consistency in recent weeks.