Ex-Parkhead duo on goal as Rodgers’ title hopes undergo blow
Brendan Rodgers has suffered his first defeat in Saudi Arabia – bringing an finish to his exceptional unbeaten record as head coach of Al Qadsiah.
The former Celtic supervisor was appointed by the Aramco-owned membership in December, simply two months after his shock departure from Parkhead following a fall-out with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Rodgers has loved an unbelievable begin to life within the Saudi Pro League, avoiding defeat by his opening 17 matches in cost and remodeling his new membership from mid-table alsorans into title contenders.
However, his hopes of touchdown silverware suffered a serious blow on Sunday when his Al-Qadsiah facet suffered a 3-2 defeat by the hands of Al-Ettifaq within the Eastern Derby.
And it was two former Celtic gamers who performed beneath Rodgers who did the harm with Jack Hendry and Moussa Dembele each on the scoresheet for Steven Gerrard’s former facet.
Julián Quiñones opened the scoring for Al-Qadsiah within the thirty third minute however they had been decreased to 10 men simply two minutes later following a crimson card to Mohammed Waheeb Abu Al Shamat.
Al-Ettifaq took benefit of the additional man as Scotland defender Hendry introduced the house facet degree with a well-placed downward header 5 minutes earlier than half-time. Dembele then headed Al-Ettifaq in entrance two minutes after the break earlier than a penalty from Georginio Wijnaldum put the hosts additional forward.
Quiñones pulled one again for Al-Qadsiah late on as the guests completed the match with 9 men following an injury-time crimson card for Gastón Álvarez. Rodgers’ facet are actually fourth, 10 factors behind leaders Al-Nassr, with seven video games remaining.
Hendry, who made his first begin for Scotland in virtually two years towards Japan at Hampden final Saturday, stated: “We always knew it was going to be a difficult game because they are in really good form and doing very well in the league.
“Today was necessary for us. Our final recreation we misplaced towards them [4-0 in February], it was a troublesome defeat. But tonight we bounced again and it was superb to get the victory.
“When you get a team at the top of the league who are pushing to win the title they are going to come back hard, even if they are one man down. Thankfully we held on, but I think we deserved the win.”
On his aim he added: “It’s about time. I’ve had loads of chances in the league and I should have a lot more goals. But thankfully tonight I got that goal which has been coming for a long time.”
