SAKAKA, Saudi Arabia (Interstat) — Sime Grzan scored in the 73rd minute and visiting Al Anwar held on for a 1-0 victory over Al Orubah at Al-Jouf University Stadium on Monday in a tightly contested league match. Mohammed Al Harthi provided the assist on the goal. Al Anwar improved to 3 wins, 1 loss and 6 draws in the competition and across all competitions, while Al Orubah dropped to 0 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws in the competition and across all competitions. The result gave Al Anwar its third win of the season and left Al Orubah still seeking its first victory in the competition. Al Anwar has now avoided defeat in each of its last six matches in the competition.

The only goal came after a patient spell from Al Anwar. Grzan, who played 20 minutes, found space and finished to break a scoreless match. Al Harthi, whose 90-minute shift included the assist, helped create the decisive moment. The goal broke a deadlock that had lasted until the 73rd minute. Al Orubah pressed for an equalizer but could not find a way through. The home side struggled to turn possession into clear chances and was kept off the scoreboard despite some late pressure. Al Anwar managed the closing stages with discipline and protected the narrow lead.

Al Orubah’s best chances came after halftime, but Al Anwar’s defense held. Yellow cards marked the match’s rising tension. Al Harfi A. of Al Orubah was booked in the 36th minute. Al Anwar’s Al Ghamdi M. was cautioned in the 71st, Kaabi K. in the 82nd and Bruno Bezerra in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Al Harfi’s booking was the only yellow card of the first half, while Al Anwar received three of the match’s four yellow cards. The bookings reflected the physical nature of a match that remained close until the final whistle. Al Anwar made the game’s decisive play stand up and kept Al Orubah from finding a late response.

Both teams turned to their benches late. Al Anwar made a double change in the 70th minute, another substitution in the 79th and two more in stoppage time. Al Orubah made changes in the 79th minute and in stoppage time. The changes could not alter the result, though they helped both sides manage the closing minutes. Al Anwar’s substitutes helped slow the pace and disrupt Al Orubah’s attempts to build momentum. Al Orubah’s late adjustments added fresh legs but did not produce an equalizing goal. Al Orubah’s final changes could not unlock the visiting defense.

Al Anwar entered the match after a 0-0 draw with Al Okhdood and a 1-1 draw with Al Wehda. It had also drawn with Al Adalah, Al Najmah and Hajer. The visitors had a 1-0 win at Al Saqer Saudi Club and a 2-0 home win over Al Ta’ee Saudi Club earlier in the season. Al Anwar had drawn four of its previous six matches. Al Orubah arrived after a 3-1 loss at Al Ula, a 1-1 draw with Al Bukiryah Club and a 0-0 draw at Hajer. The home side had not won in its previous three matches. Al Anwar’s overall record now includes 3 wins, 1 loss and 6 draws, while Al Orubah’s mark stands at 0 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws. The victory continued Al Anwar’s unbeaten run in the competition.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Al Anwar 2, Al Orubah 1. Interstat’s ELO system gave Al Orubah an 82.4 percent probability to win. Al Orubah was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 1 went over the over/under line of 2.5.