On a difficult football night for Al-Shabab fans, Abdulaziz Al-Malik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Shabab Club, made urgent and frank statements following the heavy defeat his team suffered against Al-Ahli Club by five goals to nil, in the top match of the twenty-second round of the Roshan Professional League competition, which was held at Al-Inma Stadium.

Acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility

The Al-Shabab president didn't seek flimsy excuses to justify the resounding defeat. Instead, he faced the situation with administrative courage, stating in his post-match media remarks: "The mistakes today were technical, and we take responsibility for them. I can bear some responsibility for today's loss." This statement reflects a sense of dissatisfaction with the team's performance, which appeared disjointed in the face of Al-Ahli's relentless attacks.

The transfer crisis and a message to the Ministry of Sports

In discussing the reasons for the decline, Al-Malik revealed important administrative details regarding strengthening the team's ranks, pointing to challenges the management faced in the transfer process. He explained, "We made promises on three matters; the first, the local deals, were fulfilled; the second, the foreign deals, were rejected; and the third, we submitted requests more than once, and I hope the ministry will approve what we submitted today.".

These statements raise numerous questions about the obstacles preventing Al-Shabab from finalizing its foreign player contracts compared to rival clubs, especially given the significant support the sports sector receives in the Kingdom. The president's reference to the "Ministry" suggests the existence of outstanding issues awaiting administrative and financial resolution to salvage the team's season.

The repercussions of the five-goal defeat and the youth team's position in the league

The 5-0 defeat against a direct and historic rival like Al-Ahli is a devastating blow to Al-Shabab's ambitions this season, as the team continues its run of poor results that has pushed it further away from the top of the table. This result not only affects the league standings but also the morale of the players and fans, who had hoped for a performance worthy of the club's rich history.

Competition context of the Roshan League

This match comes at a time of fierce and unprecedented competition in the Roshan Professional League, as clubs strive to accumulate as many points as possible to secure their places in Asian championships. Al-Shabab's heavy defeat puts the coaching and administrative staff under immense pressure to correct course before it's too late, especially since the upcoming rounds cannot afford any further points losses if the team wants to maintain its prestige and standing among the elite.

In an exceptional night of football, Al-Ahli, nicknamed "The Royal," delivered a remarkable performance, securing a resounding and well-deserved 5-2 victory over Al-Shabab in the highlight match of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. This impressive win was more than just three points added to the team's tally; it served as a clear declaration of the return of the Jeddah-based club's formidable attacking prowess and a strong message to all their rivals in the competition.

The return of the quintets after a long hiatus

This result holds significant numerical implications for Al-Ahli fans, as it marks the club's first five-goal haul in the Roshan League in a remarkable 296 days. Looking back at the team's records, the last time Al-Ahli's attack managed to score five goals was on April 18, 2025, when they defeated Al-Fayha by the same scoreline. Now, the feat has been repeated against Al-Fayha after a hiatus of nearly ten months.

The importance of winning the Saudi football classic

This victory takes on added significance given the stature of the opponent and the importance of the match; encounters between Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab are always considered classics of Saudi football, attracting widespread public and media attention both locally and across the Arab world. A resounding 5-0 victory against a team of Al-Shabab's caliber, a club boasting exceptional players and considered a formidable force in Saudi football, reflects a high level of tactical skill, a marked improvement in Al-Ahli's attacking system, and a remarkable ability to capitalize on opportunities against top teams.

The result's impact on the league's trajectory

This victory comes at a crucial time in the Saudi Professional League, as the competition intensifies with the league entering its decisive stages. This win is expected to provide a tremendous morale boost for the players and coaching staff, strengthening the team's confidence in its ability to continue winning and compete for top positions that qualify for continental championships. Furthermore, the return to scoring five goals will help restore the team's attacking prowess, forcing upcoming opponents to reconsider their defensive strategies before facing Al-Ahli, which will benefit the team both technically and psychologically in the remaining rounds of the season.

In a thrilling, high-scoring match, Al-Ahli's first team secured a resounding 5-2 victory over Al-Shabab in their Saudi Professional League match on Friday evening. This impressive win not only earned Al-Ahli three valuable points but also sent a strong message to their rivals about the team's formidable attacking prowess.

Details of the goal fest in El Clásico

The match began at a fast pace with Al-Ahli launching a relentless attack. Rayan Hamed opened the scoring early in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a brilliantly executed free kick by Algerian star Riyad Mahrez. Just minutes later, Ivorian Franck Kessié doubled the lead in the 20th minute, again assisted by Mahrez, who then added his own goal of the match to complete the scoring in the 25th minute.

Al Shabab tried to get back into the game through their Belgian star Yannick Carrasco, who narrowed the gap in the 33rd minute, but Al Ahli responded quickly through Enzo Melo, who scored their fourth goal in the 34th minute, assisted by Englishman Ivan Tony. Before the end of the exciting first half, Carrasco returned to score Al Shabab's second goal from a penalty kick in the 44th minute, ending the first half with the visitors leading 4-2.

The second half and confirmation of Al-Ahly's superiority

The second half saw desperate attempts by Al-Shabab's coach to salvage the situation by bringing on attacking players like Abderrazak Hamdallah and Yassine Adli, but Al-Ahli's defense and goalkeeper Edward Mendy held firm. In the 83rd minute, Ivan Toni delivered the final blow, scoring Al-Ahli's fifth goal from the penalty spot, extinguishing any remaining hopes of a comeback for Al-Shabab.

Impact of the result on the Roshan League standings table

With this resounding victory, Al-Ahli temporarily jumped to second place in the Saudi Professional League standings, raising their points tally to 50. They are level on points but ahead on goal difference, and just one point ahead of Al-Nassr in third place, who are yet to play their match in this round. This rise intensifies the competition for the top spot and the Asian Champions League qualification places, putting added pressure on league leaders Al-Hilal and their closest rivals, Al-Nassr.

The worrying situation of young people

On the other hand, this heavy defeat deepened the wounds of Al-Shabab, leaving them stuck on 19 points in 14th place – a position unbecoming of the club's history and stature. This result puts Al-Shabab's coaching and management staff under immense pressure to get back on track and avoid getting embroiled in the complex relegation battle as the league nears its conclusion.