Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Damac hosts Al-Shabab at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha in a crucial and potentially explosive match. This encounter, part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, is of paramount importance to both teams, who are struggling in the standings and desperately need the three points to escape the relegation zone.

The struggle to escape the specter of landing

Both teams enter the match with the motto "No to an eleventh defeat," as they both experience similar inconsistent results. Damac, playing at home, hopes to capitalize on the significant morale boost gained in the last round, having broken a nine-match winless streak with a valuable victory against Al-Taawoun. The "Knights of the South" aim for their second consecutive win to secure their position in the mid-table, relying on their full squad and the readiness of their key players.

The history of the encounters favors Al-Ahly

In terms of historical statistics in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Shabab clearly holds the advantage. The two sides have met 13 times previously, with Al-Shabab dominating, winning 8 matches, while Damac managed only one victory, and 4 ended in a draw. Furthermore, Al-Shabab's attack is clearly superior, having scored 22 goals against Damac, compared to 12 goals scored by the southern team's attack.

The two teams' positions in the standings

Damac enters the match in 15th place with 15 points, accumulated from two wins and nine draws, while suffering defeat in 10 matches. Al-Shabab's situation isn't much better, as they sit in 14th place with 19 points, having secured four wins, seven draws, and 10 losses – a position unbecoming of the Riyadh-based club's history and prestige.

A tough test for Ben Zekri's battalion

This match will be a true test for experienced Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, the manager of Al-Shabab, who took over to rescue the team. Despite a relative improvement in results at the beginning, the team has recently returned to a losing streak, suffering a heavy defeat against Al-Kholoud and then a crushing loss in the derby against Al-Ahli. Benzekri is relying on his extensive experience in Saudi football and his familiarity with Damac FC (which he previously coached, achieving success in avoiding relegation) to overcome this difficult hurdle.

Star Battalion and Lethal Weapons

Both teams boast impressive rosters capable of making a difference. Damac relies on the solidity of its Brazilian goalkeeper, Kiwin Silva, the experience of Algerian defender Abdelkader Bedrane, the dynamism of Guinean Morlaye Sylla, in addition to Argentinian Valentin Vada, Moroccan Jamal Harkas, Congolese Jonathan Okita, Syrian Mohammed Al-Salakhdi, and Ivorian Yakou Meite.

In contrast, Al-Shabab enters the match boasting a star-studded lineup, including veteran Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, Belgian Yannick Carrasco, Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, Frenchman Yacine Adli, Englishman Josh Brownhill, Brazilian Carlos Junior, and Jordanian talent Ali Al-Azaizeh. Ultimately, the pitch will determine who can best utilize these players to secure all three points.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Al-Taawoun hosts Al-Fayha at their home ground in Buraidah in a highly anticipated match. This encounter, part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League, carries added significance as the competition intensifies in the final stages of the season, with both teams desperately needing the three points to improve their positions in the standings.

The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League

This encounter comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is witnessing unprecedented qualitative development, with every match now representing a high level of tactical and physical challenge thanks to the influx of world-class players. There are no longer any easy matches in the league, as mid-table and lower-ranked teams strive to close the gap with the leading sides. The Al-Taawoun vs. Al-Fayha match exemplifies this competition, with the former aiming to solidify its place among the elite, while the latter fights to prove its worthiness of remaining in the safe zone, adding a level of intensity to the encounter that transcends the mere three points at stake.

Cooperation: The ambition to restore balance

Al-Taawoun, nicknamed "The Sugar of Qassim," enters the match with one goal in mind: to rediscover their winning form after a three-match winless streak. This sudden slump has cost the team eight valuable points, managing only one point out of a possible nine, thus significantly diminishing their chances of directly competing for a top-four finish.

Al-Taawoun currently sits fifth in the league table with 39 points, accumulated from 12 wins and three draws, while suffering six defeats. The home side will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to get back on track and maintain their hopes of securing a spot in next season's Asian Champions League.

Al-Fayhaa... The Search for Stability

In contrast, Al-Fayha will be a formidable opponent, currently experiencing inconsistent results despite delivering strong performances in several high-profile matches. The orange-clad team hopes to break their recent run of fluctuating form, having alternated wins and losses in their last four games, and will be aiming for a positive result to bolster their points tally.

Al-Fayha currently sits in twelfth place with 23 points, having secured 6 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses. This match presents a golden opportunity for the team to distance themselves further from the relegation zone and solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table, especially since the points gap with the bottom teams is not significant enough to guarantee their safety.

Historical dominance and artistic weapons

Historically, Al-Taawoun holds a clear advantage over Al-Fayha, having faced them 15 times previously in the Saudi Professional League. Al-Taawoun has dominated, winning seven matches, while Al-Fayha has only managed one victory, with seven other encounters ending in a draw. Furthermore, Al-Taawoun's attack boasts a superior record, having scored 24 goals against Al-Fayha, compared to 11 goals conceded.

On a technical level, both teams boast a wealth of talented players capable of making a difference at any moment. Al-Taawoun relies on its Colombian striker Roger Martinez, Brazilian defender Gerotto, Dutch playmaker Achraf El Mahdaoui, and Frenchman Angelo Fulgini. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha features the dangerous Zambian striker Fashion Sakala with his blistering pace, experienced English defender Chris Smalling, creative Algerian playmaker Yacine Benzia, and Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, promising a high-level tactical battle between the two coaches.

In a move that reflects seriousness and professionalism in planning for the future, the assistant technical staff of the first national team held a series of important meetings with players from Al-Shabab and Al-Riyadh clubs who are candidates to join the ranks of “Al-Akhdar”, as part of the early and intensive preparation program to ensure the best possible participation in the 2026 World Cup finals.

According to a statement released today, Thursday, these meetings focused heavily on the importance of the current phase, which requires a concerted effort from all parties. Emphasis was placed on the need for complete focus on technical and physical aspects, as well as strict adherence to the health and nutrition programs approved by the national team's specialists. The coaching staff also conducted a thorough review of each player's physical indicators and statistics, aiming to develop individualized training plans to maximize their readiness before the upcoming international competitions.

These moves come within a broader sporting context, as Saudi football is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance thanks to strong support from the sports leadership. This places a significant responsibility on the national team to present a respectable image befitting the Kingdom's stature and the development of its domestic league, which has become a focus of global attention. Preparing for the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by North America, requires a different kind of preparation that keeps pace with the tremendous physical and tactical advancements in global football. This is precisely what the coaching staff is striving to achieve through this close monitoring of players at their respective clubs.

The meetings also included discussions on mechanisms for ongoing coordination in the coming period and strengthening direct communication channels between the coaching staff and the players. These steps fall within the framework of an approved professional methodology aimed at unifying efforts and achieving the highest levels of integration and harmony between the national team and the clubs, ensuring there is no gap in the physical workload or dietary regimen of the international players.

Historically, early preparation has always been the key to the superiority of major teams, and the "Green" seeks to repeat and surpass its previous successes, especially after the heroic performance in the 2022 World Cup. These field visits to clubs are considered part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the Saudi player is at the peak of his mental and physical performance when called upon to represent the nation.

Today's meeting is part of a series of scheduled meetings held by the assistant coaching staff with shortlisted players from various clubs. These meetings are planned to continue in the coming period, including players from Al-Fateh, Al-Akhdoud, and Damac clubs, as part of a comprehensive plan to prepare players mentally and physically, and to ensure that national team selections are based on close and continuous monitoring of all available players in the Saudi Professional League.