Al Fateh pin survival hopes on African trio and Vargas after slow start | OneFootball

Al Fateh are back in early trouble, 16th after three rounds with one point, but last season’s recovery offers hope. spl.com.sa notes that the immediate task is to reignite an attack with three goals in three games.

Bottom until Round 20 last term, they surged to 10th by winning nine of their final 15. That run featured wins over eventual champions Al Ittihad and title-chasing Al Nassr, with fans a major force.

The need to turn quickly is clear, with Al Qadsiah on Saturday, then Al Nassr after the international break when the RSL resumes next month. The road ahead looks treacherous.

Batna and Bendebka have close to 300 Al Fateh appearances between them and 81 RSL goals, the heartbeat of this team.

They are joined by Toko Ekambi, a late-window signing from Al Ettifaq. The 33-year-old brings stints at Villarreal and Olympique Lyon, plus Cameroon’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title. Fresh combinations must settle fast.

The attack still orbits Argentine playmaker Vargas, signed in winter from Shanghai Port after a Chinese Super League win. He delivered seven goals and four assists in last season’s escape, and has two goals and one assist already, involved in every strike so far.

If Batna, Bendebka and Toko Ekambi click around Vargas, Al Fateh could field a frontline to trouble anyone. With a daunting run approaching, pressure is rising, but so too is the chance to kick-start a climb.

Source: spl.com.sa