In a surprising move that has shaken Saudi sports circles, Al-Hilal announced today, in an official statement, its agreement to loan its veteran international defender Ali Al-Bulaihi to Al-Shabab, one of its main rivals in Riyadh. The statement clarified that the deal is a loan until the end of the current season, making it one of the most significant transfers during the winter transfer window in the Saudi Professional League.

A career full of achievements with the leader

Al-Bulaihi's departure, even if temporary, marks the end of an important chapter in his career with Al-Hilal, which began in the summer of 2017 when he joined from Al-Fateh. During this time, Al-Bulaihi established himself as one of the team's most important defensive pillars, known for his defensive solidity, fighting spirit, and leadership qualities on the field. He played a key role in Al-Hilal's numerous domestic and continental titles, most notably winning the AFC Champions League twice, as well as several Saudi Professional League and King's Cup titles.

During the current season, Al-Bulaihi’s participation has been relatively limited, as he appeared in only seven matches in various competitions, during which he created one goal in (377) minutes of play, which may be an incentive for the player to look for an opportunity to participate as a starter with another team.

Impact of the deal on both teams

Al-Bulaihi's transfer is expected to have a significant impact on both teams. For Al-Shabab, signing a player of Al-Bulaihi's caliber and experience represents a tremendous boost to their defense. The "White Lions" will benefit from his extensive experience in handling big matches and his ability to organize the back line, which could strengthen the team's ambitions to compete for a top position in the league standings.

On the other hand, Al-Bulaihi's departure will leave a void in Al-Hilal's defense, forcing them to rely on other options to compensate for his absence. Despite Al-Hilal possessing distinguished players in that position, Al-Bulaihi's experience and personality will undoubtedly be missed during the crucial stages of the season. The question remains how Al-Hilal's coaching staff will deal with this sudden change in their squad.

Al-Shabab's Spanish coach, Imanol Alguacil, expressed his deep satisfaction after leading his team to a valuable 1-0 victory over Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League. This win not only adds three points to the team's tally but also provides a significant morale boost for the "White Lions" as they strive to improve their position in the league standings during the second half of the season.

Background and context of the match

This victory comes at a crucial time for Al-Shabab, who suffered from inconsistent results during the first half of the season, a situation inconsistent with the club's rich history and the ambitions of its fans. With the opening of the winter transfer window, the club strengthened its squad with high-profile signings, most notably Croatian star Ivan Rakitić, a move reflecting the management's desire to get the team back on track under the leadership of new coach Alguacil, who boasts an impressive track record with Spanish club Real Sociedad.

Algossel's statements: A clear strategic vision

During the post-match press conference, Alguacil offered a detailed analysis of the reasons for the victory, emphasizing that the team was beginning to reap the rewards of the new signings, which had provided the squad with added depth and quality. He noted that "the team is now complete with the new signings, and we are currently reaping the benefits," alluding to the growing harmony between the new and existing players. The Spanish coach also stressed the tactical role of the substitutions in deciding the match, explaining that they contributed to changing the tempo of the game and giving the team the advantage in crucial minutes, reflecting his astute reading of the match.

Upcoming challenges and match pressure

Despite the joy of the victory, Alguacil was mindful of the significant challenges ahead for his team. He noted that February would be a true test of the team's endurance and focus, as the youngsters would play eight matches in just 23 days. This packed schedule would demand considerable physical and mental effort, placing paramount importance on squad depth and effective player rotation strategies to avoid fatigue and injuries.

Impact on the team's league performance

With this victory, Al-Shabab raised its points tally to 19, advancing to thirteenth place in the Roshan League standings and narrowing the gap with twelfth-placed Al-Fayha to just one point. While this position is still far from the club's ambitions, this win represents a first step on the road back to the top spots and sends a strong message to its rivals that Al-Shabab, with its new coach and talented players, is capable of changing its fortunes in the second half of this highly competitive season.

Portuguese coach Pedro Emanuel, manager of Al-Fayha, sparked widespread controversy with his statements criticizing the refereeing team's time management during his team's match against Al-Shabab, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Professional League. Emanuel's comments were not merely a reaction to the loss, but also opened the door to a discussion about the criteria for calculating stoppage time in the league.

In the post-match press conference, Emanuel expressed his astonishment at the decision to add only seven minutes of stoppage time. He said, “I don’t understand how they only added seven minutes. The match was frequently interrupted due to injuries and substitutions, and the added time should have been longer to compensate for the lost time.” The Portuguese coach added that he always urges his players to increase the actual playing time to ensure the fans enjoy themselves, noting that this approach did not serve that purpose.

The context of the match and its importance in the Roshan League

This match comes at a crucial stage of the Roshan League, with all teams striving to improve their standings and secure points. Al-Fayha and Al-Shabab entered the match in close positions in the middle of the table, making the three points of paramount importance. Such direct encounters are decisive in determining the final trajectory of teams, whether in the race for top spots or in the fight to avoid relegation. With the significant development and increased competitiveness of the Saudi League, every minute on the pitch and every refereeing decision is now under intense media and fan scrutiny.

Well-deserved praise and the impact of the loss

Despite criticizing the refereeing, Emanuel didn't fail to praise his opponent's performance. He acknowledged that Al Shabab were the better side in the first half, while his team improved in the second half, becoming more effective and powerful, but ultimately failing to convert their chances into goals. He singled out Al Shabab's goalkeeper, Brazilian Marcelo Grohe, saying, "Grohe deserves the Man of the Match award. He was decisive with his outstanding saves that prevented us from scoring and secured the victory for his team.".

With this loss, Al-Fayha's points tally remains at 20, placing them twelfth in the standings, just one point behind Al-Shabab, who temporarily climbed to eleventh. Emmanuel's statements are expected to put additional pressure on the referees' committee to review the performance of officiating crews, especially given the efforts to raise the overall standard of all elements within the Saudi football system to match the level of international stars participating in the competition.