On a difficult football night for Al-Shabab fans, Abdulaziz Al-Malik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Shabab Club, made urgent and frank statements following the heavy defeat his team suffered against Al-Ahli Club by five goals to nil, in the top match of the twenty-second round of the Roshan Professional League competition, which was held at Al-Inma Stadium.

Acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility

The Al-Shabab president didn't seek flimsy excuses to justify the resounding defeat. Instead, he faced the situation with administrative courage, stating in his post-match media remarks: "The mistakes today were technical, and we take responsibility for them. I can bear some responsibility for today's loss." This statement reflects a sense of dissatisfaction with the team's performance, which appeared disjointed in the face of Al-Ahli's relentless attacks.

The transfer crisis and a message to the Ministry of Sports

In discussing the reasons for the decline, Al-Malik revealed important administrative details regarding strengthening the team's ranks, pointing to challenges the management faced in the transfer process. He explained, "We made promises on three matters; the first, the local deals, were fulfilled; the second, the foreign deals, were rejected; and the third, we submitted requests more than once, and I hope the ministry will approve what we submitted today.".

These statements raise numerous questions about the obstacles preventing Al-Shabab from finalizing its foreign player contracts compared to rival clubs, especially given the significant support the sports sector receives in the Kingdom. The president's reference to the "Ministry" suggests the existence of outstanding issues awaiting administrative and financial resolution to salvage the team's season.

The repercussions of the five-goal defeat and the youth team's position in the league

The 5-0 defeat against a direct and historic rival like Al-Ahli is a devastating blow to Al-Shabab's ambitions this season, as the team continues its run of poor results that has pushed it further away from the top of the table. This result not only affects the league standings but also the morale of the players and fans, who had hoped for a performance worthy of the club's rich history.

Competition context of the Roshan League

This match comes at a time of fierce and unprecedented competition in the Roshan Professional League, as clubs strive to accumulate as many points as possible to secure their places in Asian championships. Al-Shabab's heavy defeat puts the coaching and administrative staff under immense pressure to correct course before it's too late, especially since the upcoming rounds cannot afford any further points losses if the team wants to maintain its prestige and standing among the elite.

The absence of Saudi international goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi, the guardian of Al-Nassr FC's net, from the team's recent matches has sparked controversy and questions among fans and sports enthusiasts in the Kingdom. This absence comes at a crucial time in the season, as Al-Nassr is competing on several domestic and continental fronts, making clarification essential to dispel rumors.

In this context, Meshaal Al-Safai, Nawaf Al-Aqidi's agent, made important media statements clarifying his client's situation. Al-Safai confirmed that the real reason behind Al-Aqidi's exclusion was not technical or disciplinary, but rather due to purely health reasons. Al-Safai stated, "Nawaf Al-Aqidi has a chronic sinus condition, and this problem causes him particular complications while traveling by air.".

The agent explained the details of the goalkeeper's struggles with international travel, noting that the air pressure negatively impacts his health, forcing the administrative and medical staff to make special arrangements. He added, "On some international trips, Nawaf isn't with the official delegation at the same time. He either arrives in the city before they do to avoid immediate exhaustion, or he joins them later after his condition stabilizes, to ensure his safety and readiness.".

Medically speaking, it is known that sinus infections can be greatly aggravated by changes in air pressure inside airplanes, causing severe pain and headaches that may prevent a player from performing training or playing matches with full concentration. This justifies the extreme caution with which Al-Nasr’s medical staff is dealing with Al-Aqeedi’s case to ensure that the injury does not worsen.

On the technical front, and given Al-Aqeedi's health condition, the team has been relying primarily on Brazilian goalkeeper Pinto Matheus recently. Reports and observations of the Al-Nassr situation – according to the source – indicate that prominent coaches like Jorge Jesus (referring to the intense competition and the context of the circulating news) are opting for the fittest players. Pinto has proven his worth in defending the team's goal in domestic and continental competitions, capitalizing on Al-Aqeedi's absence to solidify his place in the starting lineup.

This clarification comes as Al-Nassr prepares for a crucial and highly anticipated match against Al-Fateh. This game is part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, with Al-Nassr facing a tough away fixture at Al-Fateh's home ground. This match is of paramount importance to the Riyadh-based club, which is striving to continue accumulating points and compete strongly for the league title. Therefore, the stability of the goalkeeper position will be a decisive factor in the team's performance during the remaining rounds.

In an exceptional night of football, Al-Ahli, nicknamed "The Royal," delivered a remarkable performance, securing a resounding and well-deserved 5-2 victory over Al-Shabab in the highlight match of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This impressive win was more than just three points added to the team's tally; it served as a clear declaration of the return of the Jeddah-based club's formidable attacking prowess and a strong message to all their rivals in the competition.

The return of the quintets after a long hiatus

This result holds significant numerical implications for Al-Ahli fans, as it marks the club's first five-goal haul in the Roshan League in a remarkable 296 days. Looking back at the team's records, the last time Al-Ahli's attack managed to score five goals was on April 18, 2025, when they defeated Al-Fayha by the same scoreline. Now, the feat has been repeated against Al-Fayha after a hiatus of nearly ten months.

The importance of winning the Saudi football classic

This victory takes on added significance given the stature of the opponent and the importance of the match; encounters between Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab are always considered classics of Saudi football, attracting widespread public and media attention both locally and across the Arab world. A resounding 5-0 victory against a team of Al-Shabab's caliber, a club boasting exceptional players and considered a formidable force in Saudi football, reflects a high level of tactical skill, a marked improvement in Al-Ahli's attacking system, and a remarkable ability to capitalize on opportunities against top teams.

The result's impact on the league's trajectory

This victory comes at a crucial time in the Saudi Professional League, as the competition intensifies with the league entering its decisive stages. This win is expected to provide a tremendous morale boost for the players and coaching staff, strengthening the team's confidence in its ability to continue winning and compete for top positions that qualify for continental championships. Furthermore, the return to scoring five goals will help restore the team's attacking prowess, forcing upcoming opponents to reconsider their defensive strategies before facing Al-Ahli, which will benefit the team both technically and psychologically in the remaining rounds of the season.