Sports
Ghalti comments on Neom's loss and the reason for Salman Al-Faraj's absence
Christopher Galtier, the coach of Neom, reveals the reason for Salman Al-Faraj's absence and confirms that his team did not deserve to lose against Al-Qadisiyah in the Roshan League, praising the players' performance.

Frenchman Christopher Galtier, manager of Neom FC, expressed his deep disappointment and sadness following his team's 1-0 defeat to Al-Qadisiyah in a hard-fought match in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. The match, held at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Dammam, was a closely contested affair that went down to the wire.
Gallet's statements about the artistic performance
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Galtier defended his players' performance, insisting that the scoreline did not fully reflect the course of the game. The French coach said, "We delivered a high-level and outstanding performance against Al-Qadsia, a team with strong players in every position. We tried to close down all avenues to our goal, and we didn't just defend; we also launched attacks and created chances. However, Al-Qadsia's goalkeeper was in top form and made some crucial saves.".
Commenting on the harsh scenario of the match, Galte added: "The final minutes and stoppage time do not describe the outstanding performance of the Neom team throughout the match; we conceded a fatal goal that caused us to lose the match points despite the heroic performance.".
The real reason for Salman Al-Faraj's absence
Galtier put an end to the speculation surrounding veteran star Salman Al-Faraj's absence from the starting lineup, denying any rumors that might have circulated outside of sporting context. He explained, "The reason is the injury he sustained in the final training session before the match, and nothing else. I spoke with him personally and asked him during the final training session about his ability to participate, and he confirmed to me that he couldn't play due to the pain.".
The context of the competition and the development of the Roshan League
This match comes amidst the fierce competition in the Roshan Professional League, where newly promoted clubs, backed by ambitious sports projects like NEOM and Al-Qadisiyah, are striving to establish themselves among the elite. These encounters are of paramount importance not only in terms of points but also in terms of prestige and proving their worthiness to challenge the league's established clubs.
The presence of world-class coaches like Christopher Galtier at the helm of Neom FC reflects the tactical and technical development that Saudi football is witnessing, where small details and the physical and mental readiness of the players have become the decisive factor in determining the results of matches, as was clearly evident in the Al-Qadisiyah match, which was decided by minute details in the dying moments.
It is worth noting that Al-Qadisiyah’s clean-cut victory has strengthened its position in the standings, while Neom’s coaching staff will work on addressing the psychological effects of this “undeserved” defeat, as described by the coach, in order to quickly return to winning ways in the upcoming rounds.
Sports
Simakan and Koman's readiness boosts Al-Nasr's chances against Al-Fateh in the Roshan League
Al-Nassr's duo, Simakan and Koman, have been confirmed fit to face Al-Fateh in the 22nd round of the Roshan League. The club aims to continue its winning streak after securing a 2-0 victory in the derby against Al-Ittihad.
The technical staff of Al-Nasr Club received a huge moral and technical boost before the anticipated match against Al-Fateh, as the readiness of the professional duo, defender Mohammed Simakan and star Kensley Coman, was officially confirmed to participate in the match that will bring the two teams together as part of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League competition, which will be held on the grounds of Al-Fateh Stadium in Al-Ahsa.
The team’s recent group training sessions witnessed the active participation of the duo Simakan and Koman, after their full recovery from the muscle injuries that had afflicted them during the past period and kept them from participating, giving the technical staff additional tactical options and confirming their full readiness to play in the upcoming match, which represents a qualitative addition to the “global” squad at this crucial stage of the season.
Al-Nassr enters this match with its sights set on nothing less than three points. The team seeks to extend its winning streak, solidify its position in the league standings, and close the gap on its rivals at the top of the table. This match is particularly important as it comes at a time when the team needs both technical and physical stability to cope with the pressure of a series of consecutive matches in domestic and continental competitions.
Al-Nassr is currently enjoying a period of high morale and performance, especially after their valuable and well-deserved victory in the last round against their traditional rivals, Al-Ittihad, in the "Clásico," with a score of 2-0. This victory not only earned the team three points but also restored confidence among the fans and players in the team's ability to win major matches, and it confirmed the defensive solidity and attacking efficiency that the team has recently displayed.
Facing Al-Fateh on their home ground is always a difficult challenge for big clubs, given the organization that “the model” enjoys and its constant desire to embarrass the big ones. However, the return of the injured and the completion of Al-Nasr’s ranks enhances the chances of the Yellows returning with full points and continuing the march towards the top of the Roshan Professional League.
Sports
Today's match schedule, Friday 13-2-2026, in the Roshan and European leagues
Check out today's match schedule, Friday, February 13, 2026, for the Saudi Professional League, the English FA Cup, and European leagues. See match details and broadcast channels.

Al-Midan Al-Riyadi presents its readers with the schedule of matches for Friday, February 13, 2026, a day packed with football action both locally and internationally. Attention is particularly focused on Saudi Arabian stadiums, which will host high-profile matches in the Saudi Professional League, in addition to crucial games in major European leagues and the English FA Cup.
Saudi Roshan League: The battle of the giants heats up
Today's matches in the Roshan League are of paramount importance due to their mid-season timing, as teams strive to improve their positions in the standings. This evening features three crucial encounters that could shape the title race and determine which teams will secure Asian Champions League spots
- Al-Shabab vs. Al-Ahli (4:55 PM): A highly anticipated classic match pits the capital's "Lions" against "Royal." Matches between these two teams are always fiercely contested and generate a huge fan turnout, with each side striving to assert dominance and claim the three points.
- Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ettifaq (6:25 PM): Al-Hilal, the "Leader," hosts Al-Ettifaq in a highly tactical match. Al-Hilal, with its star-studded squad, faces the ambition of the "Captains," who are eager to cause an upset and derail Al-Hilal's winning streak.
- Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Fayha (8:30 PM): “Al-Ittihad” concludes tonight’s matches with a match against Al-Fayha in Jeddah, amid expectations of a large crowd to support the Tigers in their quest for victory.
European stadiums: The excitement of cups and leagues
On the European level, the excitement is no less significant, with competitions ranging from the prestige of the English FA Cup to the strength of the Italian and German leagues:
- FA Cup: Chelsea travel to Hull City for a tough away match at 10:45 PM. This prestigious competition, the oldest in football history, offers top clubs a chance to turn things around or add another trophy to their collection.
- Italian League: In a notable encounter, Pisa will face AC Milan at 10:45 PM. The Rossoneri will be looking to reaffirm their historical dominance, while the home side will be aiming to capitalize on home advantage.
- German League: Borussia Dortmund will face Mainz at 10:30 PM, in an emotional and competitive match given the shared history between the two clubs and the attacking football they both play.
Yellow Division One League: The Battle for Promotion
Away from the bright lights, the Yellow League stadiums witness football battles of no less importance, as clubs compete for the dream of promotion to the top league:
- Al Jabalain vs Al Jandal (4:00 PM): A mini northern derby with a challenging theme.
- Al-Raed vs. Al-Arabi (6:35 PM): A tough match in which Al-Raed seeks to regain its brilliance and confirm its worthiness to compete.
The variety of matches today, ranging from local derbies to European clashes, makes this Friday a packed day of football that cannot be missed by sports fans.
Sports
Saudi Arabia's results in the Asian Cycling Championships in Qassim 2026
Find out the results of the Saudi national team on the eighth day of the 2026 Asian Cycling Championships in Qassim. A gold medal for Manahi bin Labdah and medals of various colors for the Paralympic champions.

Saudi Arabian athletes continued to make sporting history, delivering a remarkable performance on the eighth day of the 2026 Asian Road Cycling , hosted by the Qassim region. The competition witnessed a brilliant Saudi showing in the Paralympic races, with cyclists winning a diverse array of medals, further solidifying the Kingdom's growing prominence on the continental sporting map.
Gold and silver achievements in Paralympic races
Manahi bin Labdah took center stage in today's competitions, ascending the podium as the champion crowned with the gold medal in the (MH1) category, after delivering an exceptional performance that he finished with a time of 44:28 minutes, capturing attention and confirming his worthiness of first place.
The Saudi harvest didn't stop at gold; it extended to silver and bronze as the Saudi team continued its success in the T-class categories. Cyclist Fahad Al-Dosari secured the silver medal in the T1 category, completing the race in 26 minutes and 11 seconds, while his teammate Fawaz Al-Fawaz , winning silver in the T2 category with a time of 24 minutes and 52 seconds.
In women's sports, champion Raneem Al-Furaidi to present a distinguished image of Saudi women, winning the silver medal in the WT1 category with a time of 35:35 minutes. In the MC1 category, cyclist Mohammed Al-Marri another silver medal to the Saudi tally, while his teammate Abbas Al-Hashem the bronze in the same category. Rider Rashid Al-Ahmari the day's medal haul with a bronze in the MC3 category with a time of 49:11 minutes.
Al-Qassim: A global sports destination
The hosting of the 2026 Asian Cycling Championships in the Qassim region is part of the Kingdom's significant sporting development. The region has demonstrated its readiness to host major continental events thanks to its advanced infrastructure and terrain, which is well-suited to road cycling. This event also presents an opportunity to showcase the region's tourist attractions and cultural landmarks to the participating Asian delegations.
Supporting leadership and empowering heroes
These outstanding results in Paralympic races reflect the unwavering support provided by the wise leadership to the sports sector within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to empower Saudi athletes, including those with disabilities, to compete on the international stage. This remarkable improvement in the level of Saudi cyclists confirms the success of the Saudi Cycling Federation's strategic plans in discovering and developing talent.
All eyes are now on the final day of the tournament tomorrow, with high hopes that the Kingdom's champions will continue this strong momentum and add more achievements to the impressive record of Saudi sports.
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