In a tense football match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last moments, Al -Qadisiyah to achieve a valuable and hard-fought victory over their guest, Neom, with a clean goal, in the match that brought them together on Thursday evening at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, as part of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League .

Match scenario: Early excitement and a goalkeeping battle

The match began at a fast pace, with both teams eager to score. Just two minutes in, Al-Qadisiyah nearly opened the scoring when Italian striker Matteo Rettigny on a glaring error by the Neom goalkeeper, but his shot struck the post and rebounded to the defense in the third minute. The home side continued to press, with Jihad Zikri unleashing a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that narrowly missed the crossbar in the 13th minute.

In contrast, Neom did not stand idly by, as their counter-attacks posed a significant threat. This was evident in the 39th minute when Argentinian Luciano Rodriguez nearly snatched the lead, were it not for the exceptional brilliance of Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels , who made a difficult save, deflecting the ball for a corner. Casteels continued his stellar performance by denying Neom another certain goal just one minute before the end of the first half.

Second half: Al-Qadsia pressure and the decisive goal

At the start of the second half, Al-Qadisiyah intensified their attacks in search of the three points. Portuguese goalkeeper Luis Maximiano made a brilliant save from a powerful shot by Ghanaian Bonsu Ba in the 68th minute, and also stood firm against a shot by Mexican Julian Quiñones in the 85th minute.

As the match was heading towards a goalless draw, Uruguayan star Nahitan Nandez in stoppage time (90+4), receiving a perfect cross inside the penalty area, which he skillfully headed into the net, announcing the killer winning goal that sparked wild joy in the stands of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium.

The two teams' positions in the standings

With this important victory, Al-Qadisiyah continued their strong performances this season, raising their points tally to 47 , thus strengthening their position in the top four and increasing their chances of competing for continental qualification spots. Meanwhile, Neom's points total remained at 28 , keeping them in the middle of the standings, which puts further pressure on the team to improve their results in the upcoming rounds to secure their place in the league.

The importance of winning and the development of the Roshan League

This late victory reflects Al-Qadisiyah's high fighting spirit and underscores the significant improvement in the technical and physical level of Saudi clubs, thanks to the substantial support the sports sector is receiving. This match exemplifies the fierce competition in the Roshan League, where results are only decided at the final whistle, further enhancing the market value and popularity of the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention by attracting international stars like Nandez, Castilles, and Maximiano.

On Friday evening, February 13, 2026, sports fans across Saudi Arabia will turn their attention to the Eastern Province, specifically the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam, to witness the most exciting chapter in the Saudi Premier Handball League for Seniors. The fourteenth round concludes with a highly anticipated match between league leaders Al-Khaleej and their closest rivals, Al-Ahli, in a clash that could very well determine the season's champion.

Historical and competitive dimensions of the summit

The importance of this match extends beyond mere points; it encompasses the historical and popular significance of handball in the Kingdom. Clubs from the Eastern Province, most notably Al-Khaleej (Al-Dana), are considered the heartland of the sport, while Al-Ahli (Al-Raqi) represents the major force emerging from the Western Province to challenge the Eastern Province giants for gold. This historic rivalry has directly contributed to raising the technical level of the Saudi national team, as both teams boast some of the national team's most prominent players, making the match a showcase of the best national talents and foreign professionals in the league.

Complex top-stakes calculations

Both teams enter the match with meticulous calculations that leave no room for error, amidst a fierce battle for the top spot in the standings:

• Al-Khaleej (the leader): Reigning supreme with a perfect record of 24 points, accumulated from 12 consecutive victories without a single loss or draw. The team boasts a formidable attack, having scored 379 goals, and a rock-solid defense, conceding only 265, reflecting the high level of technical and physical readiness of the Al-Dana squad.
• Al-Ahli (runners-up): They sit second with 20 points, having won 10 matches and lost 2. The Royal Club knows this match is their last chance to close the gap and revive their title hopes.

Resolution and compensation scenarios

The match holds two main scenarios that will determine the course of the tournament:

The first scenario: Al-Khaleej wins, which would widen the gap to a full 6 points. With only a few rounds remaining, this lead would be considered an unofficial declaration that the shield is close to being won by Saihat, benefiting from home advantage and the expected large crowd.

The second scenario: an Al Ahly victory, the only option available to the Cairo giants to reduce the gap to just two points. This would reignite the league title race and put the league leaders under immense psychological pressure in the remaining rounds. Al Ahly is counting on its players' experience in handling big matches and their desire to break their rivals' unbeaten streak.

The impact of the result on the sports scene

This match holds significance that extends beyond the court; the expected high level of play reflects the development of Saudi handball, which now enjoys widespread regional and continental attention. Furthermore, the anticipated large crowd will reaffirm the sport's immense popularity, particularly in the Eastern Province, thus boosting sporting activity and supporting plans to develop various sports.

Other confrontations that are no less important

Aside from the top-of-the-table clash, the fourteenth round features crucial matches for the middle and bottom teams, all taking place on the same day:

• Al-Huda vs. Al-Noor (4:00 PM - Dammam): A special derby and a fiery confrontation between the third and fourth teams, in which each side seeks to establish its foothold in the golden square.
• Al-Safa vs. Al-Zulfi (4:00 PM - Qatif): A match to escape the danger zone and improve positions.
• Al Wahda vs Al Adala (4:00 PM - Mecca): An attempt to correct the course and restore balance.
• Mudar vs Al-Muheet (7:00 PM - Qatif): Mudar (Al-Amlah) seeks to continue chasing the leading teams, while Al-Muheet is looking for a lifeline to improve its results.

In conclusion, round 14 is a pivotal turning point in the Saudi Premier Handball League, as its final result will reveal whether the title has been clinically decided in favor of Al-Khaleej, or whether Al-Ahli has another say that will reshuffle the cards.

Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam announced on Thursday that they have officially signed veteran English striker Raheem Sterling on a free transfer deal that runs until the end of the current season, just days after he left Chelsea.

A new challenge outside the Premier League

This move marks a significant turning point in the career of the 31-year-old, who was available to sign with any club even outside the official transfer windows, given his status as a free agent. Sterling recently reached a mutual agreement with Chelsea's management to terminate his contract after falling completely out of favor with the coaching staff and being excluded from matches. This brought an end to his time at Stamford Bridge, which was supposed to run until June 2027, with a hefty weekly wage estimated by the press at around £325,000.

In his first statement after signing, Sterling expressed his optimism about the move, with the Dutch club's official website quoting him as saying: "I'm convinced that Feyenoord is a place where I can be happy and valued by the team." The English star added, emphasizing his desire to prove himself: "Playing abroad is a new challenge for me, and I'm fully prepared to face it.".

A remarkable career and historic achievements

Raheem Sterling, born in Jamaica, boasts an impressive record in English football, enjoying his most successful period with Manchester City. He played a key role in the Citizens' domestic dominance, winning the Premier League title four times (2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022). Internationally, Sterling represented England in 82 matches, the last of which came in 2022, before stepping away from international duty in recent years.

Despite past successes, Sterling has suffered from inconsistency since his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2022. Last season saw him loaned to Arsenal in an attempt to rediscover his form, but the experience was not as successful as hoped, and he returned to Chelsea and was ultimately excluded from the squad.

Feyenoord's ambitions and English experience

Feyenoord, the 16-time Dutch league champions, are counting on Raheem Sterling's vast experience to help the team through the remainder of the season. Currently second in the Eredivisie standings, and despite being 17 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, the presence of a player of Sterling's caliber could significantly boost their chances in European competitions and secure a Champions League spot, in addition to the marketing and technical value he brings to the Dutch league as a whole.