Al-Ittihad Club, the Saudi Professional League champions, announced a significant strategic move to bolster the stability of their first football team by renewing the contract of their international defender, Hassan Kadash, for an additional four years, extending his contract until the summer of 2028. The official announcement was made via the club's social media accounts, specifically the "X" platform, where a video was posted showcasing Kadash's most prominent moments and strong performances in the "Dean's" jersey, concluding with the announcement of the renewal, which was widely welcomed by the club's fans.

Background of the deal and the player's career

Hassan Kadash, who boasts extensive experience in Saudi football, joined Al-Ittihad in the summer transfer window of 2023 from Al-Taawoun. His move came at a time when the Saudi league was experiencing a historic boom, attracting top international stars. His arrival coincided with the signing of global icons like Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. Despite this constellation of stars, Kadash quickly proved his worth, securing a regular starting position in the team's defense and delivering consistent, outstanding performances that made him a key player for the coaching staff.

The importance of renewal and its expected impact

Renewing Kadesh's contract is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad on several levels. Domestically, this decision guarantees stability in the center-back position for years to come, which is vital for competing strongly in the Saudi Professional League and the King's Cup. It also reflects the administration's vision of building a well-rounded team that combines international experience with outstanding local talent, aligning with the strategy for developing Saudi football. Continentally, having a defender with Kadesh's experience is essential in the AFC Champions League, where continental competitions demand players with tactical maturity and the ability to handle high pressure.

This renewal comes at a time when the club is striving to improve its position in the league standings, where the team currently occupies a place that falls short of its fans' aspirations. This decision is expected to provide a morale boost to the team and its players, and underscores the management's confidence in the current sporting project and its ability to return to competing for all titles in the near future.

A strategic victory for Los Rojiblancos in their stronghold

Atletico Madrid secured a valuable and well-deserved 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in the eleventh round of La Liga. This win allows the Madrid-based club to continue their positive run and solidify their hold on one of the top four spots that guarantee qualification for the Champions League.

Match details and events

Diego Simeone's team asserted their dominance from the outset, translating their superiority into an early goal in the 26th minute through young star Rodrigo Riquelme. Just before halftime, striker Álvaro Morata added a second goal in the first minute of added time (45+1), giving his team a comfortable lead going into the break. Despite Alavés' efforts to mount a comeback in the second half, which resulted in a consolation goal by Ander Guevara in the sixth minute of stoppage time (90+6), they ran out of time to equalize, and the match ended in a victory for the home side.

Context and importance of the win for Atletico Madrid

This victory comes at a crucial point in the season, as Atlético Madrid, renowned for their tactical solidity under Simeone, strive to remain in contention with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Historically, Atlético's success has been built on their strong defense and ability to win tough matches, especially at their home ground, which has become a fortress. These three points not only boost their tally but also provide a significant morale boost as they continue to pressure their rivals in the long and arduous title race.

Impact on La Liga standings and the future of both teams

Atlético Madrid increased their points tally, strengthening their position in the top four, the club's primary objective for securing a prestigious European spot next season. The victory sends a clear message that the team is capable of competing strongly this season. On the other hand, despite a spirited performance, Deportivo Alavés' points total remains unchanged, leaving them in mid-table, continuing their struggle to accumulate the points needed to avoid relegation and the complexities of the relegation battle later in the season.

In a stunning display of football, Al-Qadisiyah confirmed their high ambitions this season in the Saudi Professional League, after achieving a resounding and well-deserved victory over their guest Al-Hazm with a score of 5-1, in the match that brought them together at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium as part of the competitions of the sixteenth round.

A fiery second half decides the match in favor of Al-Qadisiyah

Despite a goalless first half, Al-Qadisiyah came out completely different in the second half, dominating possession and dismantling Al-Hazm's defense. Italian striker Matteo Rettig opened the scoring in the 56th minute, setting the stage for a goal fest. Before Al-Hazm could recover from the shock of the first goal, young midfielder Musab Al-Juwair added a second with a well-placed shot in the 61st minute, extending the home side's lead.

Al-Qadisiyah continued their attacking pressure, with Colombian star Julian Quiñones scoring the third goal in the 73rd minute, cementing his team's dominance. Al-Hazm's woes deepened when defender Ahmed Al-Nakhli scored an own goal in the 81st minute. Before the final whistle, Mohammed Abu Shamat completed his team's five-goal haul in the fifth minute of stoppage time (90+5).

In contrast, Al-Hazm team was unable to keep up with Al-Qadisiyah’s fast pace in the second half, and only managed to score a single consolation goal through Abu Bakr Bah in the 86th minute, which was not enough to change the reality of the match.

The impact of the result on the ambitions of both teams

With this resounding victory, Al-Qadsia sends a strong message to all its rivals in the league, confirming its serious intent to compete for the top spots. The team has increased its points tally to 33, solidifying its fourth-place position in the standings, a position that qualifies for the AFC Champions League, thus providing a significant boost to the team's momentum and further enhancing its positive run of results.

On the other hand, Al-Hazm suffered a heavy defeat that could affect the morale of its players, leaving them stuck on 16 points in eleventh place. The team will need to quickly get back on track in the upcoming rounds to avoid getting bogged down in complicated calculations in the middle of the table or slipping into the relegation zone in a league that doesn't forgive mistakes.

Roshan League: Fierce competition and global appeal

This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to its attraction of international stars and a remarkably high level of competition. Results like this resounding victory demonstrate that the competition is fierce, not only for the title but also for qualification to continental championships, adding further excitement to every round of the league.