Veteran Brazilian coach Fabio Carille expressed his delight at returning to competitive football in Saudi Arabia during his first press conference as manager of Damac FC. Carille's appointment comes at a crucial time in the season, as the team seeks to improve its position in the Saudi Professional League and move away from the relegation zone.

Previous experience and a distinguished track record in Saudi stadiums

Carille began by referring to his previous experience in Saudi Arabia, which lasted two and a half years, describing it as a "special" experience that left a significant positive impact on him and his family. Carille's return to the Saudi league is a major gain for Damac FC, given his extensive knowledge of Saudi players and the local competitive atmosphere. The club is counting on him to shorten the adaptation period and achieve the desired results quickly. The coach confirmed that the decision to return through Damac brought happiness to him and his family, giving him the mental stability to focus on the pitch.

Diagnosing the situation and preparing to face cooperation

Regarding the team's technical situation, Carille explained that he wasted no time, immediately beginning work upon his arrival with intensive meetings with the administrative and coaching staff to identify the team's problems. Carille said, "I am very excited about this experience, and I am firmly convinced that we have the necessary tools to achieve positive results.".

The Brazilian coach addressed the upcoming match against Al-Taawoun, describing it as an "important and crucial" game. He indicated that preparing for this match requires a high level of focus to ensure a performance worthy of the club's name and to serve the team's goals of improving its position in the league standings. He added that he will hold direct meetings with the players to determine the optimal approach and the appropriate tactical formation for the match.

Trust and support: the key to a comeback

Carille concluded his remarks on an optimistic note, expressing his confidence in the technical and human resources available to Damac FC. The new Damac coach outlined his priorities for the current phase, which include providing the players with the necessary confidence and psychological support to bring out their best on the pitch, emphasizing that the mental aspect will be a crucial factor in upcoming matches.

Team position and match date

Damac is scheduled to host Al-Taawoun tomorrow evening, Thursday, at 6:45 PM, in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. Damac enters the match in a precarious position, currently sitting in 15th place with 12 points, making a victory crucial to begin their escape from the bottom of the table under their new coach.

The technical staff of Al-Ittihad Club received a huge moral and technical boost before the anticipated match against Al-Fayha, after the Dutch star Steven Bergwijn was confirmed fit to participate in the match that brings the two teams together as part of the twenty-second round of the Roshan Professional League competition, which is scheduled to be held on the grounds of Al-Inma Stadium.

The winger's return comes after a full recovery from the muscle injury that sidelined him recently, a major factor in his absence from Al-Ittihad's squad for several important matches, both domestically and continentally. He underwent an intensive rehabilitation and treatment program under the supervision of the club's medical staff, which proved successful, allowing him to rejoin team training today and declare his readiness to bolster the squad for upcoming matches.

Bergwijn's return is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad at this crucial juncture in the season, as the team seeks to extend its winning streak and maintain its strong performances, especially after its resounding and historic 7-0 victory over Qatari side Al-Gharafa in the AFC Champions League. This emphatic win instilled a significant confidence boost, and the Dutchman's return further enhances the coach's attacking options and provides the team with additional solutions on the wings.

In the broader context of the competition, Al-Ittihad is aware that facing Al-Fayha will be no walk in the park. Matches in the crucial stages of the Roshan League are known for their intense rivalry and excitement, with each team striving to secure the three points to improve their position in the standings. The return of injured players, most notably Bergwijn, is considered a significant boost, enhancing the team's stability and cohesion during this decisive phase. Al-Ittihad fans are eager to see their team continue to deliver the impressive performances they displayed in the Asian Champions League and replicate them domestically.

Bergwijn is expected to play an influential role in revitalizing the attacking front and making a difference thanks to his speed and individual skill, which is what Al-Ittihad needs to break down the compact defenses of opponents, making the upcoming Al-Fayha match an important milestone to confirm the strong return of the Dutch star and the continued brilliance of the Tigers in the Saudi and Asian football scene.

The venerable Al-Ahli Club, the third oldest club in Saudi Arabia and a cornerstone of sports in Medina, is experiencing a pivotal moment, perhaps the most difficult in its more than ninety-year history. This entity, long known as "The Mountain" for its resilience and ability to rise from every setback and return to the ranks of the Premier League despite limited financial resources, now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads that threatens its stability and competitive presence—a scenario unfamiliar to its fans in Medina.

A rich history facing the threat of extinction

It is impossible to discuss Saudi sports without mentioning Al-Ahli Club, which represents an integral part of the social and sporting memory of Medina. The club has always been a goldmine of talent and a source of pride for the region's residents, but the current situation is entirely different from what it once was. Over the past two years, the signs of decline have become clearly visible, yet decisive and effective action has been lacking. Those concerned have remained passive, leading to an accumulation of administrative and technical errors and the postponement of fundamental solutions, until the club has reached a point where neither complacency nor temporary fixes are acceptable.

Basketball and football... a double fall

In basketball, the sport that brought glory to Al-Ahli Club and made it a force to be reckoned with on the Saudi and Gulf sports scene, the decline was painful and shocking. After the team's relegation, the Basketball Federation intervened with an exceptional decision, respecting the club's history, to give it another chance. However, the current results and last-place ranking prove that the crisis is not just a temporary setback, but a deep-seated structural problem that requires addressing the root causes of the failure instead of resorting to patchwork solutions.

On the football front, the disaster was confirmed with the team's relegation to the third division, languishing at the bottom of the table with a record devoid of wins or even draws up to the 21st round, suffering heavy defeats unworthy of its name. This technical collapse clearly reflects that the problem extends beyond the pitch to include a lack of strategic planning and weak financial and administrative stability.

Where are the investors in these golden opportunities?

At a time when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented sports renaissance and major shifts towards privatization and sports investment, the most important question arises: Where are the investors for Al-Ahli Club? The club possesses enormous investment potential that may be overlooked by many; it has a modern, integrated facility of which only a small part is utilized, in addition to a distinguished strategic location overlooking three vital main streets in Medina.

These features make the club a fertile ground for commercial, sporting, and professional academy projects that can generate sustainable income, freeing the club from reliance on donations and transforming the financial burden into a substantial economic resource that restores balance to the entity. A savvy investor looks not only for history but also for infrastructure and growth potential, both of which are available at Al-Ahli, provided there is a visionary management capable of marketing these opportunities.

A call to save the entity

Leaving Al-Ahli Club to drift into the unknown is unacceptable. It is not merely a sports team, but a cultural and social legacy. Despite the efforts of the current administration, one hand cannot clap alone. The situation demands official intervention and support from businessmen and fans to adopt an urgent rescue plan with a specific timeline. It is time to shift the focus of Al-Ahli's history from the realm of "memories" to the realm of "the future," through wise management and a genuine will to restore the club's prestige before it is too late.

@sultan2030m