Nestor El Maestro, the technical director of Al-Najma Club, commented clearly and with high sportsmanship on the heavy defeat that his team suffered against Al-Ahli Club by four goals to nil, in the strong confrontation that brought the two teams together as part of the competitions of the twenty-third round of the Roshan Professional League, which was hosted by Al-Inma Stadium.

Nestor El Maestro's post-match comments

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the coach refused to put undue pressure on his players, emphasizing the positive aspects of the match. "We played a strong game and performed very well at various points," El Maestro said. He added, praising his opponents, "We mustn't forget that we faced Al Ahli, the Asian champions and a team with a world-class squad. Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the fighting spirit my players displayed throughout the match.".

Turning point: fitness and expulsion

The Al-Najma coach provided a technical analysis of the match, explaining that it was divided into two completely contrasting phases. He stated, "The team played in two different halves; in the first half, the team displayed phenomenal physical effort, which allowed us to neutralize Al-Ahli's attacking threat. However, in the second half, specifically after the red card and the resulting numerical disadvantage, the players' physical performance noticeably declined, which is understandable against a team that dominates possession so effectively as Al-Ahli.".

Advanced Press Philosophy and the Brilliance of Ivan Toni

The coach concluded his remarks by emphasizing his tactical identity: "We play with an advanced pressing style, and my team played a tactically brilliant match in the first half. The conclusive proof is that Al-Ahly failed to score any goals during the first half, and we will continue to work in this way to improve performance in the upcoming matches.".

It is worth noting that the match witnessed a remarkable performance by English striker Ivan Tony, who led Al-Ahli to this resounding victory by scoring a hat-trick, taking advantage of the spaces that appeared in Al-Najma’s defense during the second half. Al-Ahli thus confirmed its determination to compete strongly in the Roshan Professional League, benefiting from the constellation of stars that the team includes, who make the difference in crucial moments.

Competition context of the Roshan League

This match comes at a time when the Saudi league is witnessing significant sporting activity and a rise in the technical level of all clubs, with matches no longer being predetermined, as demonstrated by Al-Najma's resilience in the first half. This result serves as motivation for Al-Ahli to continue their climb towards the top of the standings, while Al-Najma's coaching staff will work on addressing defensive and physical weaknesses to ensure they remain in a safe position in the league table.

The 23rd round of the Saudi First Division League, dubbed the "Founding Round" in celebration of Saudi Arabia's founding day, kicked off amidst an atmosphere of excitement and fierce competition, reflecting the significant development of Saudi football at all levels. The first day of this round witnessed several fluctuations in results that directly impacted the league standings, both in the race for promotion to the top tier and the battle to avoid relegation.

Details of the Founding Round matches

In one of the most exciting matches of the round, Al-Jabalain reaffirmed their determination to compete strongly this season, securing a valuable away victory against Al-Anwar with a score of 3-2. This win not only earned Al-Jabalain three points but also solidified their hold on third place with 45 points, a position that qualifies them for promotion and is the focus of everyone's attention. Meanwhile, Al-Anwar's struggles deepened as they dropped to thirteenth place with 26 points, placing them in the relegation zone.

In another high-scoring, one-sided match, Al-Wahda their attacking prowess against Al -Bukairiyah , securing a resounding 3-0 victory. This impressive win propelled the Knights of Mecca to twelfth place with 26 points, giving the team a significant morale boost and helping them distance themselves from the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Al-Bukairiyah's points tally remained at 33, dropping them to eighth place.

Al-Jubail snatched what may be their most valuable victory of the season, defeating direct rivals Al-Batin 1-0. Although both teams have the same number of points (11) and are languishing at the bottom of the table, this win gives Al-Jubail a significant psychological advantage in their long fight to avoid relegation.

Al-Adalah and Jeddah played to a 2-2 draw , with both teams sharing the points. Al-Adalah remained in 15th place (17 points) and Jeddah in 9th (28 points). Meanwhile, Al-Raed secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Al-Jandal , bringing their total to 35 points and placing them 7th, while Al-Jandal remained in 14th place with 21 points.

The importance of the Yellow League and the competitiveness of the season

The Yellow League is gaining increasing importance season after season, having evolved from a mere stepping stone to a championship in its own right, boasting extensive media coverage and a remarkable fan base. The naming of this round as the "Foundation Round" underscores the close connection between sports and national identity, creating a celebratory atmosphere in the stands.

The current results indicate that the struggle will intensify in the upcoming rounds, especially with the points close between the middle and top clubs, as Al-Jabalain seeks to secure promotion early, while clubs like Al-Wahda and Al-Raed are trying to improve their positions to ensure they are in the safe zone or competing for the top spots, which promises an exceptional season until the final whistle.

In a breathtaking and dramatic evening of football, English star Ivan Toni, the striker for Al-Ahli Saudi FC, turned moments of despair into a resounding victory against Al-Najma FC. The match, held at Al-Inma Stadium as part of the 23rd round of the Roshan Professional League, was more than just a casual encounter; it was a showcase of the English striker's leadership qualities.

From failure to glory: Tony's thrilling reaction

The scenario began unexpectedly when Toni missed a penalty, putting the team and Al-Ahli fans under immense pressure. However, Toni proved that it's the end result that counts. In his first comments to the league's official broadcaster after the final whistle, Toni revealed his steely mentality, saying with a broad smile: "It was just proof that I'm human! And then I made it up to them with a hat-trick in front of everyone ." This statement not only reflects self-confidence but also sends a powerful message about the importance of mental resilience in modern football, and how a professional player can overcome immediate mistakes to come back stronger in the same match.

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

This stunning individual performance cannot be separated from the broader context of the tremendous development witnessed by the Saudi Professional League. The league has become a global destination, attracting elite football stars and raising the level of competition and technical standards of the matches. The ability of a player like Ivan Toni to score a hat-trick in a single match after missing a penalty kick reflects the high quality of the foreign professionals recruited to enhance the league's market and technical value, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a rising sporting power on the international stage.

Clash of the Titans: Toni widens the gap with Ronaldo

On an individual level, this hat-trick had a special impact on the top scorer race. Thanks to this three goals, which contributed to Al-Ahli's 4-1 victory, Ivan Toni solidified his lead in the league's scoring charts, extending his advantage over his closest rival, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, to a full five goals. This numerical superiority intensifies the competition in the final stretch of the league and confirms the success of Al-Ahli's management in betting on the English striker to spearhead the team's project to return to the podium.

The artistic and moral impact on Al-Ahly Club

This resounding victory is a tremendous morale boost for Al-Ahli. Winning 4-0 at such a crucial point in the season sends a clear warning to rivals that Al-Ahli possesses lethal attacking options capable of deciding matches. Furthermore, Toni's overcoming the penalty scare and scoring a hat-trick confirms to the coaching staff and fans that the team has a leader in the forward line who doesn't falter under pressure – a crucial element that top teams need to compete for domestic and continental titles.