William Troost-Ekong’s debut for Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League was poised to be the perfect start to his new chapter in the Middle East.
After completing a successful year-long stint with Greek club PAOK, the Nigerian international quickly established himself as a key figure in Al Kholood’s defense.
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In their opening match against the star-studded Al Ittihad, Troost-Ekong led a resilient backline that frustrated the visitors’ top-tier talents, including Fabinho, N’Golo Kanté, and Karim Benzema.
Al Kholood, who earned their spot in the Pro League after a remarkable promotion from the First Division League (FDL) last season, looked every bit the match for their more illustrious opponents.
For nearly the entire game, Troost-Ekong and his defensive colleagues held firm, stifling wave after wave of Al Ittihad’s attacks. It seemed as though Al Kholood were on the verge of claiming an impressive point in their first top-flight encounter.
However, the dream of a fairytale debut was shattered in the dying moments of the match. Just as the final whistle loomed, Al Ittihad’s Houssem Aouar found a rare gap in Al Kholood’s defense and slotted home a heartbreaking winner, leaving Troost-Ekong and his teammates empty-handed.
Despite the disappointing finish, Al Kholood’s performance was a promising indication of their potential in the Saudi Pro League.
With Troost-Ekong’s experience—garnered from stints with Udinese, Watford, Salernitana, and Gent—Al Kholood can be optimistic about navigating the challenges of the season ahead.
Next, Al Kholood will face Al Riyadh on August 29, as they seek their first points in the top division. With Troost-Ekong at the heart of their defense, Al Kholood hopes to bounce back from the narrow defeat and continue their journey toward establishing themselves in the league.
