Al Hazem and Al Adalah to contest inaugural FDL Play-off final | OneFootball

As the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League season approaches its final stop on Monday, so does the race for the last remaining spot in the top flight for the 2025-26 campaign.

With NEOM Sports Club and Al Najmah having already confirmed their place in next season’s RSL by finishing in the top-two places, respectively, in the First Division League, two more teams are set to battle it out for the third promotion berth on Thursday.

Friday’s FDL Play-off semi-finals action saw Al Adalah and Al Hazem book their places in the final after thrilling wins.

The early kick-off in Al Ahsa saw Al Adalah, who finished fifth in the regular season, host an Al Bukairyah side who finished one place below.

The latter, who have never competed in the top division of Saudi football, fought hard for 120 minutes, but with no goals scored at either end, the game went to a penalty shootout.

Veteran striker Luvannor Henrique saw his tame shot saved by Al Adalah goalkeeper Hatim Al Johani, and Brazilian defender Philipe Maia took advantage, converting the decisive penalty to send the Al Ahsa-based side into the final.

Al Adalah last played in the RSL in 2022-23, finishing 15th in the then 16-team competition to suffer relegation.

Meanwhile in Ar Rass, Al Hazem moved a step closer to gaining instant promotion back to the RSL after Karim Yoda’s header from close range midway through the second half sealed a 1-0 victory against Al Tai and sent the home team to the final.

Al Hazem will host the play-off decider on Thursday by virtue of having finished higher than their opponents in the regular-season standings.

The play-off format has been introduced for the first time this term, adding an extra layer of excitement to the race for RSL places.

Al Raed have already been relegated from the 2024-25 RSL while, going into the final matchday of the season on Monday, Al Orobah (30 points), Al Okhdood (31) and Al Wehda (33) battle for one spot in next season's competition.