Hilal playmaker Tarek Al-Taib scored a hat-trick to inspire his side to a thumping 5-0 victory over Al-Watani in the opening day of the Saudi League's new season. The Libyan ace scored in the 9th, 12th and 70th minutes to seal the win, as promising striker Ahmed Al-Soweilah added two more to complete the rout. Elsewhere, champions Ittihad Jeddah opened their title defense with a 2-0 home win against Najran.
Junior scored first league goal for Wehda In Dammam, Al-Wehda stunned Al-Qadsia at home with a 4-0 drubbing, with former Zamalek striker Junior Quaye on target for the Mecca Warriors. The shocker of the day though came from minnows Al-Hazm, who beat Ahli Jeddah 1-0 in Theo Bucker's first league game in charge of the Jeddah outfit. Finally, Argentine forward Manuel Martinez's second half strike for Al-Shabab cancelled out Essam Al-Merdasi's early opener for Al-Nassr as the Riyadh rivals shared the points in a an opening day 1-1 draw.