The technical staff of Al-Fateh Club, through the Egyptian assistant coach Ahmed Magdy, revealed the real reasons behind the surprising decision to put the Moroccan star Mourad Batna on the bench at the beginning of the team’s match against Al-Hazm, within the competitions of the twentieth round of the Saudi Professional League.

In the post-match press conference, Magdi explained that the decision was neither technical nor disciplinary, but rather a precautionary measure to protect the player from excessive fatigue. He said, "Batna's presence on the bench at the start of the match was due to his exhaustion resulting from the pressure of consecutive matches." He pointed out that the physical impact was evident on the team as a whole, especially after the considerable effort exerted by the players in their previous match against Al-Ittihad, which demands high levels of concentration and physical readiness.

Context of the decision and the importance of the player

Murad Batna is a key pillar of the "Model" squad, heavily relied upon for playmaking and goal-scoring, and frequently topping the team's scoring charts and creating opportunities. Therefore, his absence from the starting lineup raised many questions among fans and analysts. The decision to rest him reflects the coaching staff's long-term vision, which aims to maintain the fitness of key players and prevent injuries during a crucial period of the season, as the Roshan League intensifies its physical demands.

The impact of the result on the teams' journey

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Al-Fateh snatching a valuable point in the dying moments. Despite Batna coming on as a substitute for Hussein Qassem at the start of the second half, the team struggled to convert several chances. Majdi commented on the result, saying the draw was a "fair" result against Al-Hazm, whom he described as a "respectable team," adding that his players missed opportunities that could have secured a victory. This draw impacts Al-Fateh's ambitions to climb higher in the standings, while it gives Al-Hazm a crucial point in their fight to avoid relegation, making every upcoming match a final for both teams.

In a thrilling football match, Al-Qadsia SC clinched the Kuwaiti Super Cup title, defeating their arch-rivals Kuwait SC 4-3 on penalties. The match, held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, ended 1-1 after regulation time, forcing the two Kuwaiti football giants to a penalty shootout which ultimately favored Al-Qadsia.

The match began cautiously from both sides, but as time passed, Al-Qadsia gradually gained control of the game. They capitalized on their dominance, scoring the opening goal in the 38th minute through their Senegalese player, Ibrahima Tandia, who converted a well-placed pass to give his team a 1-0 lead at halftime. At the start of the second half, Kuwait SC came out strong, determined to equalize. They achieved this in the 51st minute when their Bahraini player, Mohammed Marhoon, scored the equalizer, bringing the match back to square one and intensifying the excitement and competitiveness until the final whistle.

Historical background of the Kuwait Clasico and the importance of the tournament

The matches between Al-Qadsia and Kuwait SC, known as the "Kuwaiti Clasico," are among the most important and intense in Gulf football, given the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs, which represent the country's football powerhouses. The Kuwaiti Super Cup, held annually, pits the Kuwaiti Premier League champion against the Emir Cup winner, serving as a symbolic opening to the football season or a significant mid-season trophy. This title marks Al-Qadsia's sixth Super Cup victory, further cementing their impressive record in this competition and reaffirming their status as one of Kuwait's most successful clubs.

The expected impact of the victory on Al-Qadisiyah's journey

This victory holds immense significance for Al-Qadsia Club and its fans. It's not merely about adding another title to the club's trophy cabinet, but also a tremendous morale boost for the team as they prepare to complete the rest of the season with strength and confidence. Defeating their arch-rivals in a final has a special flavor, strengthening the players' fighting spirit and giving them a psychological advantage in upcoming matches. This triumph also confirms the team's ability to secure titles in major matches and sends a powerful message to their rivals in the domestic leagues.

In an unexpected move that raised many questions in Saudi sports circles, the press conference of the Portuguese technical director of Al-Ittihad Club, Sergio Conceição, which was scheduled to be held after the end of the team’s match against Al-Najma in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League, was cancelled.

This cancellation overshadowed the valuable victory achieved by “Al-Ittihad” with a single goal, as the field reporter explained that the official reason announced was the absence of coach Conceição at the time allocated for the conference, which opened the door to speculation about the real reasons behind this absence.

Background of the event and the importance of the match

This event comes at a crucial juncture for Al-Ittihad this season. After a series of inconsistent results, the team desperately needed a victory to solidify their position in the league table and move closer to qualifying for Asian competitions. The win against Al-Najma raised their points tally to 34, temporarily placing them sixth, but the performance wasn't entirely convincing for many fans, as the narrow 1-0 victory was hard-fought.

Coach Sergio Conceicao, who has a successful coaching career with Portuguese club Porto, is known for his strong personality and great passion, which makes his absence from the media platform surprising, especially after achieving a victory that the team desperately needed.

Expected impact and dimensions of the incident

Locally, the cancellation of the press conference sparked widespread controversy among Al-Ittihad fans and sports analysts. Press conferences are a crucial platform for coaches to explain their tactical views, evaluate player performance, and communicate directly with the media and the public. Conceição's absence could be interpreted as an indirect message, perhaps expressing his dissatisfaction with the team's overall performance despite the victory, or there may be other undisclosed administrative or personal reasons.

On a regional and international level, the Saudi Professional League enjoys unprecedented global attention after attracting world-class stars and coaches. Such incidents, though seemingly minor, fall under the scrutiny of the international media, which closely monitors the level of professionalism and organization within the competition. The absence of a coach of Conceição's stature from a crucial media engagement raises questions about the club's internal environment and its adherence to the media protocols followed in major leagues.

In conclusion, while Al-Ittihad celebrates the three points, the absence of their coach from the press conference remains the most prominent event that has left behind major question marks, pending what the coming hours will reveal in terms of official clarifications from the club's management or the coach himself to end the existing controversy.