Al Nassr's unbeaten start to the Saudi Pro League season is over. A 2-1 defeat to Al Ittihad on Saturday represented the defending champions' first loss of the campaign and raised real questions about their title credentials under Ange Postecoglou.

George Ilenikhena scored twice inside the opening 22 minutes to put Al Ittihad firmly in control at King Abdullah Sports City, and although Angulo Gabriel pulled one back before half-time, Al Nassr could not find an equaliser. The result leaves them second in the table with 12 points from five games, three behind an Al Hilal side that has won every match so far. Al Qadsiah sit level on points with Al Nassr in third.

Postecoglou refused to blame his players for missing chances, though his comments drew a pointed response from Al Ittihad coach Jens Scheuer. João Félix also attracted attention after the match for remarks made as he left the stadium, adding an unwanted off-pitch dimension to an already difficult evening.

The defeat arrives against a backdrop of financial monitoring pressure that limited Al Nassr's summer recruitment. The club did receive a boost earlier this week when the Saudi Pro League granted them permission to renew contracts for their youth and under-21 players, a situation that had been in doubt. That resolution offers some stability, but the performance against Al Ittihad underlined that the first-team squad still carries vulnerabilities. A home match against bottom side Abha on Wednesday gives Postecoglou's side an immediate chance to respond and maintain pressure on Al Hilal at the top.