The end of the Al-Fateh and Al-Ittihad match, which was held at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa as part of the nineteenth round of the Saudi Roshan League, witnessed touching human moments, the hero of which was the young Al-Fateh player Ahmed Al-Jalidan, who broke down in a severe crying fit as soon as the final whistle blew.

Al-Jalidan's emotional reaction stemmed from his guilt after a late error that conceded a penalty to Al-Ittihad in the 84th minute. Saleh Al-Shehri converted the spot-kick, giving Al-Ittihad a crucial 2-1 lead. Although his Argentine teammate, Matias Vargas, salvaged a point with a dramatic equalizer for Al-Fateh in the ninth minute of stoppage time (90+9), it wasn't enough to appease the young player, who remained deeply affected by the mistake that nearly cost his team the match.

Background of the match and its competitive context

This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League (2023-2024), which has garnered significant media and fan attention thanks to the attraction of top international football stars. Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, entered the match looking to improve their position in the standings and close the gap on the league leaders, while Al-Fateh, under the guidance of their coach Slaven Bilic, aimed to secure a positive result at home in front of their fans against one of the league's strongest teams. This highly competitive environment increased the pressure on the players, which partially explains Al-Jalidan's strong emotional reaction.

The importance and impact of the shot

The image of Ahmed Al-Jalidan crying transcended the boundaries of the pitch, becoming a sensation in the sports world. It highlighted the human side of football and the immense psychological pressure players face. The scene demonstrated the player's deep loyalty to his club and his profound sense of responsibility towards his team and fans. Regionally, such scenes reflect the passion of Saudi players and the rising level of competitiveness in the league, adding to its appeal to viewers worldwide. They also serve as a powerful message to young players about the importance of commitment and fighting spirit, even in the most difficult moments.

In the end, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, in an exciting encounter that witnessed dramatic twists and turns until the last moments, with both teams adding a point to their tally. But the most memorable moment was Ahmed Al-Jalidan’s tears, which summarized all the meanings of passion and belonging in the world of football.

In a thrilling and exciting match, Al-Fateh and their guests, Al-Ittihad, played to a 2-2 draw in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, held at Al-Fateh Stadium in Al-Ahsa. Following the match, Al-Fateh's assistant coach, Ahmed Magdy, made important statements during the post-match press conference, revealing the coaching staff's perspective on the game and the team's future.

A draw against a potential champion... a win for Al-Fateh

Ahmed Magdy expressed his relative satisfaction with the match result, considering securing a point against a team of Al-Ittihad's caliber a victory in itself. Magdy said, "We played a strong match against Al-Ittihad, and a draw is a positive outcome. We missed several clear-cut chances that could have won us the game, but ultimately, I think the draw was a fair result." These statements reflect the magnitude of the challenge Al-Ittihad faced against one of the strongest teams in the league, a team that is a serious contender for the top spot.

General context and importance of the point

This draw comes at a time of unprecedented competition in the Saudi Professional League, with every team striving for the best possible results to improve their position in the standings. For Al-Ittihad, this draw could prove a setback in the title race, as every point lost makes the competition with the other top teams even more difficult. For Al-Fateh, however, this valuable point not only improves their tally but also gives the team a huge morale boost, confirming their ability to compete with the top teams and strengthening their ambitions for a high finish at the end of the season.

The case of Sofiane Ben Debka... No to taking risks

One of the key points addressed by the assistant coach was the situation of Algerian star Sofiane Bendebka, who missed the match. Magdi explained that the player is returning from a serious injury and that the coaching staff is following a cautious approach to ensure his safe and sustainable return. He continued, saying, “Sofiane Bendebka is returning from an injury, and the injury he sustained was very serious. For this reason, we refused to risk him in such a demanding match, and he will gradually return to play in upcoming games.” This decision reflects the club's management and coaching staff's commitment to the well-being of their key players and their desire to avoid rushing their return to avoid any future setbacks.

Future outlook

Ahmed Magdy concluded his remarks by praising Al-Ittihad's strength, emphasizing that they are a formidable team and title contenders, which only adds to the value of the point Al-Fateh earned. He added, "We will continue to work hard to deliver our best performance in the coming period and fulfill our fans' aspirations." With this draw, both teams continue their league campaigns, with Al-Fateh aiming to build on this positive result, while Al-Ittihad looks to make up for lost points in the upcoming rounds.

The Esports World Cup Foundation, the global non-profit organization responsible for organizing the industry's premier events, has announced a historic milestone: the launch of the Esports National Teams Cup 2026. The Foundation revealed details of the inaugural edition, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2nd to 29th, 2026, with an exceptional prize fund and support package of $45 million.

Strategic context and future vision

This announcement comes at a time when the esports industry is experiencing rapid growth globally, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a key player. This tournament aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Gaming and Esports, which aim to position the Kingdom as a global hub for the sector. The launch of a national team-based tournament represents a significant shift, as competitions have historically been primarily focused on professional clubs and teams. This new approach aims to emulate successful traditional sporting models like the FIFA World Cup, opening the door to a wider audience and fostering a sense of national pride and belonging.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

The Esports National Teams Cup is more than just a competition; it's a platform for elevating esports' standing on the international stage. Locally , the tournament solidifies Riyadh's position as a global esports capital, contributing to the development of local talent and creating new economic opportunities. Regionally , this initiative is expected to encourage countries in the region to increase their investments in building their national teams and developing their infrastructure. Internationally , the tournament creates a new competitive structure that complements the club system, giving players the honor of representing their countries, attracting new sponsors, and increasing global media coverage for the sector.

An innovative financing structure to support the entire system

The financial support model adopted by the organization is characterized by its comprehensiveness, as $45 million was strategically distributed to ensure the sustainability and growth of the entire system:

• $20 million in direct cash prizes: paid to winning players and coaches, providing a strong incentive for outstanding performance.
• $5 million to support clubs: In a pioneering move, clubs are being compensated for making their players available to participate with their national teams, thus solving one of the major problems in reconciling club and national team commitments.
• $20 million for the National Teams Cup Development Fund: This fund aims to support national federations in covering participation costs, developing local programs, and ensuring wider participation from different countries around the world.

Commenting on the announcement, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “National teams represent a new and powerful dimension in the world of esports, linked to national identity and feelings of pride. The awards model is designed to ensure fair and sustainable competition by rewarding performance and supporting the long-term growth of players, clubs and national programs.”.

A fair and sustainable competition system

The tournament employs a standardized prize distribution system that ensures fairness across all participating games. Every qualified player receives a cash prize, with a guarantee of playing at least three matches. The first-place winner receives $50,000, the second-place winner $30,000, and the third-place winner $15,000. Following its launch in Riyadh, the tournament will be held biennially in different global cities, enhancing its international character and supporting long-term planning for all partners.