Throughout the history of Saudi football, the stadiums of the Kingdom have witnessed many exciting derbies. Among these derbies, the old rivalry between Abha and Al-Ittihad stands out, in matches that bring together the southern ambition and the strong presence of the leader.
This derby is one of the oldest and most important derbies in the Asir region, as it brings together two teams with a large fan base and great ambitions, not to mention a rich history of achievements and football talents.
In this report, we take a look at the history of the long-standing rivalry between Abha and Al-Ittihad in Saudi League and friendly matches, and we review some of the most prominent statistics and matches between the two teams, mentioning their most prominent stars who have contributed to enriching this derby.
A History Rich in Confrontations:
Abha and Al-Ittihad have met 16 times in various competitions, where Al-Ittihad won 8 matches, compared to 4 victories for Abha, and they drew in 4 matches.
The confrontations between Abha and Al-Ittihad have witnessed the scoring of 39 goals, at an average of 2.44 goals per match.
Al-Ittihad is the team that has scored the most goals in its confrontations with Abha, as it has scored 26 goals, while Abha has scored 13 goals against Al-Ittihad.
Distinctive Statistics and Figures:
Al-Ittihad has the best record in its confrontations with Abha in the Saudi League, where it has won 6 matches, compared to 2 wins for Abha, while 4 matches ended in a draw.
Abdulrahman Al-Ghabari is the player with the most appearances in Abha and Al-Ittihad matches with 9 matches, while Fahad Al-Mولد is the top scorer in this rivalry with 5 goals.
The confrontations between Abha and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi League have witnessed 5 red cards, 3 of them for Al-Ittihad, compared to 2 for Abha.
Stars of the Derby:
Abdulrahman Al-Ghabari: Abha's historic star, and the record holder for the most appearances in matches against Al-Ittihad.
Fahad Al-Mولد: Al-Ittihad's historic star, and the top scorer in this rivalry with 5 goals.
عوض خميس: Abha's former star, and scorer of two decisive goals against Al-Ittihad in the First Division League 2009.
Jameel Al-Sahlol: Al-Ittihad's former star, and scorer of a killer goal against Abha in the semi-final of the King's Cup 2018.
Abdel-Ilah Bakhari: Abha's current star, and scorer of two goals against Al-Ittihad in the 2023 Roshn Saudi League.
Unforgettable Matches:
In 2009, Abha achieved a historic victory over Al-Ittihad with a score of 2-1 in the First Division League, before losing in the second leg with a score of 3-0.
In 2018, Al-Ittihad qualified for the King's Cup final after defeating Abha with a score of 2-1 in the semi-final.
In 2023, Abha drew an exciting 2-2 draw with Al-Ittihad in the 2023 Roshn Saudi League.
In conclusion, the rivalry between Abha and Al-Ittihad is one of the most important and exciting derbies in the Asir region, as it brings together two teams with a rich history of achievements and football talents.
And with every new meeting between them, new chapters are written in the story of the Asir derby, which embodies the passion of the people of the region for football.
