The Damac FC first team successfully returned to winning ways, bringing an end to a difficult 72-day period of negative results. This strong comeback came after a valuable and well-deserved 2-1 victory against their hosts, Al-Taawoun, in a fiery encounter at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah, as part of the Saudi Professional League.

A perfect start for Brazilian Fabio Carille

The match marked the debut of veteran Brazilian coach Fabio Carille at the helm of Damac FC. Carille, an expert on Saudi football, proved his ability to make an immediate impact, reorganizing the team's tactics and instilling a fighting spirit in the players, securing a perfect record in his first test. This victory reinforces the confidence in the management's decision to appoint him to salvage the team's season and get back on track after a series of setbacks.

Details of the suffering before returning

Damac's path to this victory was far from easy; it came after a difficult period and a long series of setbacks that placed the team under immense psychological and fan pressure. Prior to this match, the "Knights of the South" had gone nine consecutive league games without a win, managing only three draws and suffering six defeats, leading to a worrying decline in the team's standings and sparking concern among its supporters.

The end of the Evangelista era and a course correction

Damac FC's last victory came on December 30, 2025, when they defeated Al-Akhdoud 1-0 under the guidance of former Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista. However, things took a turn for the worse after that, as the Portuguese coach failed to maintain the team's stability and couldn't secure a win in recent matches. This prompted the club's management to dismiss him in search of a positive turnaround, which proved successful with the arrival of Carille.

The importance and impact of winning

This victory is doubly important as it came away from home against a tough opponent like Al-Taawoun, who are considered one of the strongest teams on their home ground and in front of their fans. This win represents a pivotal turning point for Damac, giving the players a tremendous morale boost to continue their league campaign with renewed vigor and moving the team a significant step away from the relegation zone. It also confirms that the coaching change was a pressing necessity to restore the team's prestige and identity on the pitch.

In a surprising turn of events within Al-Ahli Saudi FC, German coach Matthias Jäissle decided to exclude two of the team's foreign players from the squad called up for the upcoming match against Al-Shabab FC in the Saudi Professional League. This decision, made just hours before kickoff, has sparked widespread questions among fans and sports analysts regarding the technical or medical reasons that prompted the coach to take this bold step at such a crucial time.

Details of elimination and technical preparations

Sources close to Al-Ahli confirmed that coach Jacek's decision was based on a thorough technical and physical assessment during the team's final training sessions. The German coach aims to instill tactical discipline and select the most prepared players to execute the appropriate game plan against a team of Al-Shabab's caliber, known for its strong defensive and offensive organization. This decision reflects the coaching staff's desire to rely on players capable of making a significant contribution throughout the ninety minutes, prioritizing technical readiness over big names.

The importance of the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Shabab classic

The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Shabab match holds immense importance, transcending the mere three-pointer. It is considered one of the classic Saudi Arabian football derbies, attracting massive local and Arab media and fan attention. Historically, encounters between "Al-Raqui" (the Royal) and "Al-Laith" (the Lion) have been characterized by fierce competition, excitement, and a high number of goals, with each side striving to assert its dominance and prove its worthiness to compete for top positions in the league standings. This match comes at a time when both teams desperately need a victory to bolster their league position and appease their fans, thus intensifying the pressure on the coaches and players.

The expected impact of the decision on the course of the meeting

The absence of the two foreign players is expected to significantly impact Al Ahli's starting lineup, forcing coach Yassla to make tactical adjustments to compensate for the missing players. This exclusion could open the door for local players or substitutes to prove themselves in a high-profile match. Technical analysts believe such decisive decisions can be a double-edged sword; they could either motivate the remaining players to give their all to fill the gaps, or negatively affect the team's overall cohesion if the substitutes are not managed effectively.

In conclusion, sports fans are eager to see how Matthias Jiesle will handle the course of the match in light of these absences, and whether he will succeed in winning the tactical bet against his counterpart at Al-Shabab Club, in a football night that promises a lot of excitement and competitiveness in the Saudi football scene.

The first football team of Damac Club succeeded in restoring the missing winning rhythm, achieving a valuable and well-deserved victory over its guest Al-Taawon with a score of 2-1, in the exciting match that brought them together on Thursday evening at Damac Club Stadium in Khamis Mushait, as part of the opening competitions of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League.

Match scenario and the thrilling comeback

The match was fiercely contested from the opening minutes, with the first half evenly matched in terms of performance and opportunities. The visitors took an early lead in the 14th minute when Brazilian Gabriel Bell capitalized on a perfectly delivered cross, slotting it past his compatriot, Kewin Silva, the Damac goalkeeper. However, the home side's response was swift. Damac regrouped and launched a well-coordinated attack that culminated in Ivorian Yakou Meite controlling the ball expertly with his chest before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net past Brazilian goalkeeper Maïlson in the 34th minute, leveling the score.

In the second half, the pace of the match increased with both teams exchanging attacks. Algerian defender Abdelkader Bedrane made a brilliant clearance in the 62nd minute, denying Colombian Roger Martinez a clear scoring opportunity. Damac responded with a flurry of attacks, the most notable being a shot from Syrian Mohamed Al-Salakhdi that was saved by goalkeeper Maïlson. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Ivorian star Yakou Meïté stepped up to play the hero, scoring the decisive winning goal in the 82nd minute with a perfectly placed header, capitalizing on his team's dominance in the final minutes.

Carille's first touch and the importance of winning

This victory is of paramount importance to Al-Faisaly, as it marks the team's first win under their new coach, the experienced Brazilian Fabio Carille. This victory broke a nine-match winless streak that had left the team in a precarious position in the league standings. The club's management and fans are counting on Carille's extensive experience in Saudi football to lift the team out of the relegation zone and get them back on track for the remainder of the season.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League

With this positive result, Damac FC raised their points tally to 15, a significant morale boost in their fight to avoid relegation amidst the fierce competition in the league this season. Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun FC's points remained at 39, meaning the "Sugar Boys of Qassim" missed an opportunity to solidify their position in the top four and close the gap with the leading teams. This setback could impact their chances of qualifying for continental competitions and competing for higher positions.