The Saudi Professional League match between Al Hilal Riyadh and Abha held on the 22nd of January 2023, saw Al Hilal carry the day with a 2-1 win. This was a closely contested match with several strategic plays and statistics lending insight into the outcome of the game.

The home team, Al Hilal Riyadh, opened the scoring at the 23rd minute of the first half. Despite Abha’s push for an equalizer, it wasn't until the 28th minute that Abha successfully got one past Al Hilal's defense, making it 1-1. The match continued to maintain its stiff pace until the 53rd minute in the second half when Al Hilal scored and brought the total to 2-1, giving them a narrow lead.

Notably, Al Hilal Riyadh controlled the corner-kick plays, with a total of 9 against Abha's 2. This visible dominance with corner kicks indicates Al Hilal’s superior attack and their strategic ability to force the ball into dangerous areas on the pitch, which likely contributed to their victory. On the other hand, offsides were minimal in this game, Al Hilal recorded 3, while Abha had just one. This demonstrates disciplined forward play from both teams.

Discipline on the field did create some concerning numbers, as Al Hilal collected four yellow cards, all in the second half. This illustrates a certain level of aggression that Al Hilal carried in their playstyle, which may have escalated due to the pressures of breaking the 1-1 deadlock and protecting the lead. Abha, on the other hand, earned two yellow cards, clearly with a more restrained approach.

Interestingly, despite the accumulation of yellow cards, the game didn't see any red cards. This could indicate effective game management from both players and the referee, keeping the match competitive but within the confines of fair play.

In summarizing, the outcome of this match has been influenced by several factors. The optimal utilization of set pieces, particularly corner kicks by Al Hilal Riyadh, and their determined attack in the face of stiff resistance from Abha were definitive. Despite Al Hilal receiving more disciplinary deductions, they maintained their balance and defended their lead. This match leaves no doubt that tactful play, combined with a relentless offense and a determined defense, is a combination hard to beat.

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