Brazilian Pericles Chamusca, the head coach of Al-Taawoun's first football team, expressed his relative satisfaction with his team's performance after the exciting draw against Al-Qadisiyah, in the match that brought the two sides together as part of the twenty-fourth round of the Saudi Professional League, which was held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

In the post-match press conference, Shamouska provided a technical analysis of the game, emphasizing that Al-Qassim's "Sukkari" delivered a strong performance befitting the team's reputation and league position, despite the challenges posed by a shortage of players in certain positions. The experienced coach noted that the team deserved the positive result, stating, "We were missing some key players, but despite that, the team maintained its balance and character on the field, which reflects the hard work being done in training.".

In a related context, Shamouska addressed a special and direct message to the club's management, saying: "I thank the club president for his generous efforts and unlimited support for the team, and for standing by me personally in all circumstances. This support is a strong motivator and a key factor in the positive results achieved throughout the season." These statements underscore the strong relationship between the coaching staff and the management, a stability that is considered one of the most important secrets to Al-Taawoun's success in recent years.

The Brazilian coach addressed the challenges the team has recently faced, explaining: “We went through very difficult periods, especially with the departure of several key players. The tight schedule of matches and the short time between rounds also presented physical and technical challenges, but we overcame them thanks to the team spirit.” Al-Taawoun is known for its consistent ability to replace departing players and discover new talents who shine in Saudi football, making it a formidable force in the league's competitive landscape.

Shamouska concluded his remarks with an optimistic outlook for the near future, taking advantage of the upcoming break and the extended time between matches. He said, “Now we will have more time to work, and the new players will certainly integrate better into the team system. We will be stronger both technically and physically. We play with a strong team spirit, and the fighting spirit is present in all the players. We are confident that we will be even better in the remainder of the league season.” Al-Taawoun fans eagerly await the upcoming matches to see these promises translated into victories that will solidify the team's position in the mid-table and keep them in contention for Asian Champions League qualification.

The Kingdom's halls witnessed fiery competitions on Saturday evening as part of the sixteenth round of the Saudi Premier Handball League , where the matches resulted in Al-Khaleej Club strengthening its position at the top, and igniting the competition for the runner-up and golden square positions, in a round characterized by abundant scoring and excitement until the last seconds.

The Gulf continues its absolute dominance

In a display of strength, Al-Khaleej's first handball team continued their resounding winning streak, achieving a crushing victory over Al-Adalah with a score of 46-12 in a match held at the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam. This decisive win not only reflects the technical gap between the two teams but also confirms the high level of performance currently enjoyed by "Al-Dana," the Asian champions, and their relentless pursuit of retaining the league title without dropping a single point.

With this result, Al-Khaleej raised its tally to 30 points, standing alone at the top with a comfortable lead over its closest rivals, putting great pressure on the remaining teams aspiring to catch up with it, while Al-Adalah’s situation worsened in the penultimate position with 4 points, putting it in the real danger zone of relegation.

Al-Ahly breaks partnership with Al-Huda

In the highlight match of the round, Al-Ahli Club secured a crucial and strategic victory over their guest and direct rival, Al-Huda Club, with a score of 33-23 at the Ministry of Sports Hall in Jeddah. This match was of paramount importance as it was a direct confrontation to break the tie for second place.

Al-Raqi’s performance was balanced and strong, securing second place alone with 24 points and continuing to chase the leader, while Al-Huda’s tally froze at 23 points, causing it to drop to third place, which portends a fierce struggle in the coming rounds to ensure a presence in the elite positions.

Mudar wins the Eastern Province derby

In a highly anticipated and historic handball derby, Al-Mudhar Club secured a decisive victory against their traditional rivals, Al-Noor, with a score of 27-21 in Dammam. Matches between Al-Mudhar and Al-Noor are considered classics of Saudi handball, always characterized by intense competition and excitement, regardless of the teams' standings.

This valuable victory strengthened Mudar’s presence in the Golden Square with 20 points in fourth place, widening the gap with Al-Noor (fifth) whose score stopped at 16 points, confirming Mudar’s determination to compete strongly this season.

The thrill of warm climates and the struggle for survival

The remaining matches were not without excitement, as the Al-Zulfi Club hall witnessed a breathtaking encounter until the final whistle, in which the home team (Al-Zulfi) managed to snatch a dramatic victory over Al-Fateh by a single goal difference (32-31), raising its score to 16 points, sharing the score with Al-Noor.

In Qatif, Al-Muheet secured a hard-fought victory over Al-Safa with a score of 26-25 in a very evenly matched game. This win earned Al-Muheet three valuable points, raising their total to 8 points and placing them ninth in the standings. Meanwhile, Al-Safa's struggles deepened as they remain at the bottom of the table with only two points, making their chances of remaining in the top league extremely precarious.

Saudi Premier Handball League standings (after round 16)

• 1) Gulf: 30 points
• 2) Al Ahly: 24 points
• 3) Guidance: 23 points
• 4) Harmful: 20 points
• 5) Al-Nour: 16 points
• 6) Al-Zulfi: 16 points
• 7) Unit: 9 points
• 8) Al-Fateh: 8 points
• 9) Perimeter: 8 points
• 10) Justice: 4 points
• 11) Al-Safa: 2 points

Al-Midan monitors for football fans the schedule of matches for Sunday, March 1, 2026, which is considered a very important football day, as the eyes of fans around the world turn towards European and Arab stadiums to follow a group of the strongest classic matches and historic derbies that may decide the course of titles in various leagues.

A fiery summit in the English Premier League

Today's matches kick off with heavyweight Premier League fixtures, with all eyes on London for the Derby della Madonnina between Arsenal and Chelsea. This match carries immense historical significance due to the age-old rivalry between the two London giants for supremacy in the capital, making it a clash that transcends the mere three points at stake. Meanwhile, Manchester United will be looking to confirm their strong return to form when they face Crystal Palace in a must-win game.

• Arsenal vs Chelsea: 07:30
• Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: 05:00

The Andalusian derby ignites the Spanish league

In Spain, the atmosphere is electric with the highly anticipated "Andalusian Derby" between Real Betis and Sevilla. This match is known as one of the most intense and passionately contested in the world, effectively dividing the city of Seville in two. Meanwhile, Girona continues its footballing adventure against Celta Vigo.

• Girona vs. Celta Vigo: 11:00
• Real Betis vs. Sevilla: 08:30

Italian and French league classics

Italian football will witness a classic clash between Roma and Juventus, a historic encounter always marked by intense rivalry and high-level tactics. Meanwhile, in France, fans eagerly anticipate the "Olympique de Marseille" match between Marseille and Lyon, a classic fixture considered the pinnacle of French football and a fierce battle for European qualification.

Italian League:

• Roma vs. Juventus: 10:45
• Cremonese vs. Milan: 02:30

French League:

• Olympique Marseille vs. Olympique Lyonnais: 10:45
• Lille vs Nantes: 07:15

Crucial matches in the Egyptian League and the Yellow League

In the Arab world, all eyes are on the Egyptian Premier League, where Pyramids FC will face Zamalek in a highly anticipated clash that has established itself as a major force in Egyptian football. Both teams are vying for victory to improve their position in the standings and compete for the title. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the Yelo League, the top tier of Saudi football, is witnessing intense activity in the promotion race, with four crucial matches scheduled.

Egyptian League:

• Pyramids vs. Zamalek: 10:30

Saudi Yellow League:

• Jubail x Al-Bukayriyah: 09:45
• Al-Anwar x Al-Raed: 09:45
• Al-Jandal x Abha: 09:45
• Al-Arabi vs. Jeddah: 09:45