Excitement was in the air as my former employers, Jeddah Ai Ali, cleanly defeated Aioruba 2-0 in a home showdown in the first round of the Saudi League. The win was certainly a huge boost to their push for the league title. Facing the next battle in Efate, they must not lose any point if they want to move on.
Roberto Firmino's performance was perfect, as he scored in the first round of the league, and also in the Saudi Arabian Premier League match. His all-round talent, excellent positioning, precise passing and cooperation with his teammates were the keys to his team's victory. Of course, scoring goals is the best proof of his ability.
In my opinion, Robert Tufamino is the mainstay of the team, but Males and Gabriele Vega are also indispensable. Males' threat to break through on the wings, and Gabiviga's finesse, will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.
Darius also did Aioruba justice with a great goal, however, I am more excited to see the team's top scorer from last season, Abragan, back in action sooner rather than later. His goal-scoring efficiency is crucial for the team.
Efate didn't have a good start to the season, losing 0-3 to Ekadisha in the first round on the road. In my opinion, they might be facing a challenging season. Schnallahn, the Armenian international, is the centerpiece of Efate's midfield, and his penalty kick skills are breathtaking. Penalty kicks will be a killer for them, so Jeddah Ali will have to be vigilant in defense.
The speed of Zanliani, a Cape Verdean player, is also a big threat, but it won't be easy for him to break through the defenses of Ibennis and Aidoo Yavendi. Therefore, I believe that Jeddah Arie will be looking for back-to-back victories this season.
