MW19 Team of the Week: Junior leads Al Shabab four, Toney, Atangana feature! | OneFootball

With Matchweek 19 in the books (check out our must-read Talking Points), we bring you the best performers in their respective positions for the round, using the Roshn Saudi League’s unique Performance Index.

The explainer is just below, while you can use the filter option to select the appropriate matchweek and, from this matchweek on, select from a number of formations.

The Team of the Week below is pegged to our traditional 4-4-2.

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Mailson - 93

The dependable Al Taawoun goalkeeper keeps his spot for a successive matchweek following his side’s 1-0 win at home to Al Okhdood. No one made more recoveries in the game than Mailson (eight) as the Brazilian delivered a sixth clean sheet of the campaign.

Mohamed Simakan - 99

Like Mailson, the Al Nassr defender retains his place in the team for another week following Al Nassr’s Joao Felix-inspired 3-0 victory at Al Kholood. Not only did Simakan lead his team for interceptions (three) and fouls won (three), but he made a game-high 81 total touches and, crucially, netted his side’s second goal.

Mohamed Simakan scored Al Nassr's second in the win at Al Kholood

Saad Yaslam - 98

One of two Al Shabab defenders to make the grade, the right-back was pivotal in his side’s biggest win of the season, the 4-0 victory at Al Hazem. Yaslam recorded game-highs for crosses (five), chances created (four) and interceptions (four), while it was his assist to Carlos Junior that opened the scoring.

Mohammed Abdulrahman - 91

The Al Ahli defender was part of the emphatic 4-0 victory at home to Al Ettifaq - a eighth successive win - which saw the Asian champions reclaim second in the table. Pushed into midfield for this game, Abdulrahman never looked out of place.

Wesley Hoedt - 90

Joining Yaslam in the team, the Al Shabab centre-back made more successful passes than anyone on the pitch (65), while his eight good long balls were the most in his side - and second in the match overall. It helped Hoedt register his fifth clean sheet this term.

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Valentin Atangana - 93

The Al Ahli youngster is certainly making the most of his run in the side, once more proving fundamental to his team extending their incredible winning run. Against Al Ettifaq, Atangana chipped in with a joint-best six recoveries among his teammates, while he got on the scoresheet, too - his second goal this season.

Valentin Atangana (C) got his second goal of the season for Al Ahli, against AL Ettifaq

Ali Al Asmari - 91

Yet another Al Shabab entrant this week, the midfielder provided his first assist of the campaign when he teed up Junior for both the Brazilian’s, and his side’s, second at Al Hazem. With the win, Al Shabab leapt up to 13th in the table.

Ziyad Al Johani - 91

The long-serving Al Ahli midfielder has grown so much alongside Franck Kessie these past few seasons. Al Johani continues to impress in the centre for his side, once more keeping Al Ettifaq at bay while also delivering a game-high two lay-offs that led to chances.

David Tijanic - 89

What a time to deliver only your second goal of the season. The Al Najmah midfielder grabbed the equaliser to settle the relegation shootout against Al Riyadh at 1-1 - a result that could help the bottom club fight back against the drop.

Tijanic also ranked second in the match for successful passes (77) and total touches (93).

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Carlos Junior - 100

One of two hat-trick heroes this matchweek, the Al Shabab forward has finally found his goalscoring touch. Junior’s treble at Al Hazem was timely indeed, his four shots on target the most in the clash in Ar Rass. Deservedly, the Brazilian headed back to Riyadh with both the match ball and the Man of the Match award.

Ivan Toney - 100

While one hat-trick is great, how about two in the space of three rounds? That’s exactly what the on-fire Toney delivered with a treble against Al Ettifaq that included two penalties.

No wonder the Al Ahli striker was named January’s RSL Player of the Month: he has netted 12 times, picking up an astonishing five Man of the Match awards.