Aberdeen FC celebrated another victory this week as they defeated Kilmarnock FC 1-0 at Pittodrie Stadium, courtesy of Oday Dabbagh’s dramatic injury-time goal. This victory marked Aberdeen's third consecutive win, solidifying their position third place in the Scottish Premiership.
The match kicked off with both teams entering with positive momentum—Aberdeen coming off two wins, including one on the road, and Kilmarnock eager to keep their recent success alive. The home side, bolstered by their fans, initially struggled to break the resolute Kilmarnock defense, with both teams battling intensely from the start.
Despite dominating possession early on, Aberdeen found it hard to convert chances. The first major moment came when Kilmarnock was awarded what appeared to be a penalty after Liam Donnelly went down under pressure from Kristers Tobers. Referee Nick Walsh pointed to the spot, but after consulting the VAR, the decision was overturned. Instead, it was Tobers who had made the clean tackle, leading to the jubilant Dons fans breathing a sigh of relief.
Shortly after, Aberdeen thought they had taken the lead when Jeppe Okkels curled the ball beautifully beyond Kilmarnock's goalkeeper, Kieran O'Hara. Unfortunately for the home side, VAR intervened again and ruled the goal offside, leaving the first half scoreless.
Later, injuries plagued Aberdeen as full-backs Jack MacKenzie and Nicky Devlin had to be substituted. MacKenzie suffered a hefty leg knock just before halftime, and after Devlin replaced him, he also had to leave the game following an unfortunate collision.
The second half unfolded with both teams showing determination, yet each struggled to find the net. Aberdeen maintained pressure, exemplified by Kevin Nisbet’s close attempt, which struck the post, providing the Dons with what seemed to be their best chance of the match up to then.
With the match nearing its conclusion and tension mounting, Dabbagh made the decisive move. Following some intense build-up play, Captain Kevin Nisbet, exhibiting composure under pressure, assisted Dabbagh with a chest pass near the goal line. The Palestinian striker then struck fiercely, sending the ball crashing past O'Hara and igniting celebration among the home crowd.
Jimmy Thelin, the Aberdeen manager, expressed his delight post-match. "It was a nice win at home in front of our supporters, and it’s good to get any win with more or less the last ball of the game," Thelin noted, reflecting on the team's performance and the much-needed goal for Dabbagh, who contributed significantly to the Dons' victory.
Dabbagh’s goal not only secured the points but also enhanced his relationship with the fans on his home debut, positioning him as a key player for Aberdeen moving forward. “It’s important for a striker to score when they come to a new club,” Thelin added, highlighting the significance of Dabbagh's contribution to the team’s ambitions this season.
Kilmarnock’s manager, Derek Mcinnes, voiced his disappointment at the result, believing his team deserved at least one point. "I thought we were worthy of something, but unfortunately, we've come away with nothing," Mcinnes stated. His disappointment stemmed from the tightly contested affair, insisting his side showed commendable resilience throughout the match.
Looking back on the game, Mcinnes remarked, "You always felt one goal might be enough," capturing the essence of the hard-fought battle. Both managerial perspectives shed light on the ups and downs of the match as weighted VAR decisions and injuries contributed to the outcome.
With this win, Aberdeen now sits firmly among the top contenders, with aspirations for the remainder of the season growing stronger with every positive outcome. The performance of their new signing, coupled with established players like Nisbet, promises fans thrilling matches as they continue their pursuit of success on the pitch.
Aberdeen’s next challenge will come quickly, and with players returning and potentially more additions expected, they aim to build on their strong form and return to winning ways consistently.