Englishman Des Buckingham, manager of Al-Kholoud, expressed his immense joy at his team's important victory over Al-Shabab in their match in the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. This win boosted the team's morale at a crucial stage of the competition.

In the press conference held after the end of the match, Buckingham revealed that this victory coincided with a special personal occasion, saying: "I am very happy with this victory which came on my birthday, making it a special memory. We worked with all our strength and energy during the past period and specifically during the preparation for this match, and therefore I extend my sincere thanks to all the players for their effort and sacrifices on the field.".

The English coach addressed the strategy the coaching staff is following for the upcoming phase, indicating that the work is not limited to the starting lineup but extends to preparing all team members. He explained, "We are working diligently to prepare all players to be fully ready for the remainder of the season's competitions. We are continuing the hard work we began at the start of the league, and our goal is to maintain an upward trajectory that serves the team's best interests.".

Buckingham concluded his remarks by emphasizing the team's full awareness of the set goals, noting the challenges they face in completing the training sessions with the appropriate number of players, adding: "Ultimately, we are fully aware of the goals we are striving to achieve, and we will fight to reach them.".

The importance of winning and its impact on the standings

This victory is of utmost importance to Al-Kholoud team, as the team succeeded in collecting three valuable points that raised its tally to 19 points, to occupy the fourteenth position in the Roshan League standings, equal in points with its opponent in this match, Al-Shabab team, which occupies the thirteenth position, superior only by goal difference.

This victory comes at a time when Saudi football is witnessing tremendous development and fierce competition on all fronts, with the Roshan League becoming a focus of global attention. Winning against a team of Al-Shabab's stature and history is a significant morale booster for Al-Kholoud's players, confirming the ability of a newly promoted team (or one competing in the mid-table) to challenge and even trouble the established giants. This reflects the improved technical and tactical level under Buckingham's leadership.

Technical readings indicate that the close points in the middle and lower parts of the standings will make the upcoming rounds like cup matches, as Al-Kholoud seeks to secure its position and move away from the danger zones, taking advantage of the high morale it gained from this tactical victory with a clean goal.

Danilo Pereira, the Portuguese professional player in the ranks of Al-Ittihad Club, ignited social media and sparked widespread controversy after the end of the Clasico match that brought together his team and Al-Nasr, which ended with Al-Ittihad losing by two goals to nil.

In a swift and brief response, Pereira posted a cryptic message on his official Instagram account's story, writing: "Some things are predetermined." A large segment of fans and followers interpreted this as a veiled reference to the course of the match and the refereeing decisions, especially given the tense atmosphere surrounding the game.

Al-Ittihad suffered this heavy defeat on Friday evening, in the twenty-first (21) round of the Saudi Professional League, a result that cast a shadow over the team’s ranking and its ambitions to compete for the title this season, which increased the pressure on the players and the technical staff.

In a related context that reinforces the hypothesis of the player's objection, Al-Ittihad Club issued a strongly worded official statement protesting the refereeing performance in the Clasico match against Al-Nasr, demanding that the club's rights be preserved and emphasizing the impact of the refereeing decisions on the course of the match. For more details about the statement, click here .

The importance of El Clásico and its impact on the Saudi League

Matches between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr hold immense historical and popular significance, as this "classic" encounter is considered one of the fiercest in Saudi and Arab football. The importance of this match transcends the mere three points at stake, extending to its profound psychological and moral impact on both teams in the league campaign. This particular match comes at a time when the Roshan League is experiencing tremendous growth and attracting some of the world's top stars, ensuring that every game is under intense global scrutiny.

The reactions, whether from professional players like Danilo Pereira or from club officials, reflect the intense competition currently taking place in the Saudi league. The struggle for top positions now demands high concentration and attention to detail, which can decide major matches. This explains the frustration players may feel when they perceive significant errors that hinder the team's progress.

In a move aimed at bolstering the first team's defensive solidity, Cameroonian defender Stéphane Keller arrived in Jeddah on Saturday evening from Cypriot club AEL Limassol, officially announcing his joining the Tigers. This signing comes at a crucial time in the season, as Al-Ittihad seeks to compete strongly on all domestic and continental fronts.

Upon his arrival in Jeddah, the player completed the official signing procedures for his contract with Al-Ittihad, in the presence of the club's sporting director, Mr. Ramon Planes. The deal is a loan until the end of the current 2025/2026 season. Planes warmly welcomed the 24-year-old, expressing his strong confidence in Keller's abilities and his potential to make a significant contribution to the team. He wished him success in meeting the high expectations of Al-Ittihad's passionate fanbase, who anticipate the team's triumphant return.

This deal is particularly important given the significant challenges the team faces in the upcoming period. Strengthening the defense is a cornerstone of the sporting director and coaching staff's strategy to ensure the team's stability in crucial matches. Signing a defender with Keller's qualities reflects the management's desire to address weaknesses and provide the coach with diverse tactical options, especially considering the congested fixture schedule and overlapping competitions.

On the field, all eyes of Asian football fans will be on the stadium next Tuesday evening for the highly anticipated match between Al-Ittihad and Qatari side Al-Gharafa at 9:15 PM, in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. This match is a crucial turning point for both teams in their continental campaigns.

Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place in their group with 9 points, striving to secure all three points to solidify their position and guarantee a comfortable spot in the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Al-Gharafa sits in ninth place with 6 points, making this a fierce battle to break the deadlock and move closer to qualification. This adds extra pressure on both new and veteran players to prove their worth in this prestigious continental competition.