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.

From the heart of the historic and UNESCO-listed Diriyah desert to the modern shores of Jeddah on the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia has written an exceptional chapter in the world of motorsports. Hosting Formula E was more than just another sporting event; it was a living embodiment of the harmony between rich heritage and cutting-edge technology, and a platform from which the Kingdom's ambitions to become a leading global destination for sustainable sports were launched.

Sports are at the heart of Vision 2030

Hosting this global championship is an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to diversify the economy and promote sports tourism. The Kingdom has positioned itself on the international map as a major motorsport hub, where the focus extends beyond the race itself to include strong environmental messages supporting Saudi Arabia's green initiatives by promoting electric vehicles and clean energy technologies, which are at the heart of Formula E racing.

The Diriyah Era: The Historical Beginning and Night Races

The excitement began in 2018 when Diriyah opened its doors to host the inaugural round, marking the first time electric car racing has been held in the Middle East under a long-term agreement. In that historic moment, Portuguese António Félix da Costa of the BMW e Andretti team ascended the podium, becoming the first Formula E champion on Saudi Arabian soil.

In 2019, the circuit turned into a stage for a fierce double competition; the first round saw the crowning of Briton Sam Bird , driver of "Envision Racing", while the "BMW e Andretti" team redeemed itself in the second round with the victory of its British driver Alexander Sims .

After a forced hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the championship returned in 2021 with a dazzling technological makeover, featuring the first-ever all-night race in its history, utilizing sustainable and low-energy LED lighting technology. Dutchman Nyck de Vries (Mercedes EQ) stole the show by winning the first round, only for veteran Sam Bird (with Jaguar Racing) to claim victory in the second. The competition continued in 2022 with another for de Vries Edoardo Mortara .

The Diriyah circuit in 2023 witnessed the absolute dominance of German Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche), who won both rounds, before the Diriyah era came to an end in 2024 with the victory of Briton Jake Dennis and New Zealander Nick Cassidy .

A qualitative leap for Jeddah Corniche 2025

As 2025 dawned, the excitement shifted to Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, ushering in a new era at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, renowned as the world's fastest street circuit. This presented a new technical challenge for teams and drivers, entirely different from the tight corners of Diriyah. The excitement reached its peak when Germany's Maximilian Günther (DS Penske) won the first race, while Britain's Oliver Rowland, driving a Nissan, secured the lead in the fourth round.

This move reflects the ongoing development of the Kingdom’s sports infrastructure and underscores its commitment to delivering world-class experiences for fans, as we await the outcome of the 2026 competitions and beyond.