Al-Qadisiyah fans experienced moments of nostalgia and pride with the club's unique initiative: inviting Brazilian legend José Carlos to open the club's Ramadan celebration, paving the way for his tribute by the club's golden generation. This gesture was more than just a routine protocol; it was a well-deserved expression of loyalty to a star whose name is etched in gold in the annals of Saudi and Eastern Province football.

José Carlos... the architect of Asian success

Carlos deserves this great acclaim. He is the player whose mesmerizing goals, especially those launched like guided missiles from free kicks, are still sung by the fans. Carlos was a cornerstone of the golden era that led Al-Qadisiyah to continental glory by winning the Asian Cup Winners' Cup, contributing effectively, along with his teammates, to the team reaching four major finals in just two seasons—an achievement that reflects the strength and greatness of that generation.

Correcting history and returning to our roots

This recognition is part of a comprehensive strategy and tireless work undertaken by the current administration to connect new generations with the rich history of their club. This approach was clearly demonstrated in the club's earnest efforts to correct the narrative of its founding, tracing it back to its true roots in the 1930s, rather than simply accepting the date of the official merger between Al-Shula and Al-Khobar clubs in 1968. This exploration of historical depth strengthens the club's identity and gives it the prestige it deserves.

Nasser Eid “Riley”.. an icon of goalscorers

Continuing this historical trajectory, voices of fans and historians are emerging to champion initiatives that rediscover the icons of the founding era and beyond, specifically those who formed the link between "Al-Sha'la" (the old red and yellow team) and the modern Al-Qadsia entity. At the forefront of these legends stands the great star Nasser Eid, known as "Riley.".

Nasser Eid is a unique scoring phenomenon in the history of Saudi football, the leading scorer of an early golden generation in the Eastern Province. He won eight titles with Al-Shoalah and Al-Qadisiyah, but his most prominent achievement, etched in history, remains his title as the top scorer in the first-ever Saudi Premier League season of 1976-1977. Highlighting Nasser Eid's career and honoring him in a manner befitting his legacy will raise awareness among the current generation about the pioneering role Al-Qadisiyah played in building and developing football in the Eastern Province and the Kingdom as a whole.

All eyes of football fans in Saudi Arabia and beyond will be on the Kingdom's stadiums as the 25th round of the Saudi Professional League kicks off next Thursday evening, March 5th. This round comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, as the title race becomes increasingly clear, with the battle raging at the top of the table and in the relegation zone.

This round is of exceptional importance given the teams' positions in the standings. Al-Nassr enters this round sitting atop the Roshan League table, placing significant pressure on them to maintain their lead and widen the points gap. Al-Ahli, in second place, is close behind, delivering impressive performances and aiming to seize the top spot. Al-Hilal occupies third place, poised to capitalize on any slip-up by the leaders and runners-up to forcefully return to the forefront of the competition.

In a broader context, the Saudi League is witnessing unprecedented qualitative development, becoming a focus of global attention thanks to its high level of competitiveness and advanced infrastructure. This has transformed each round into a major sporting event that transcends local boundaries. This round features a heavyweight clash: the Jeddah derby between Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. This match carries a long and storied history and is considered one of the strongest rivalries in the Arab region, adding a special flavor and heightened excitement to this week's competition.

Below we present the complete schedule of matches for round 25 of the Saudi Roshan League, which will take place over three days:

Thursday, March 5:

• Damac vs. Riyadh: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Kholoud vs. Al-Qadisiyah: 10:00 PM.

Friday, March 6 (Derby Day):

• Al-Taawon vs. Al-Fateh: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Khaleej vs. Al-Hazm: 10:00 PM.
• Al Hilal vs Al Najma: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ittihad: 10:00 PM (Top of the round).

Saturday, March 7:

• Al-Nasr vs. Neom: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Akhdoud vs. Al-Fayha: 10:00 PM.
• Al-Ittifaq vs. Al-Shabab: 10:00 PM.

These matches are expected to witness a large audience turnout, especially given the convenient evening match times for fans, and with the fierce competition between the top three (Al-Nasr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Hilal), every point in this round will be crucial in the title race.

Al-Shabab Saudi Club officially announced via its verified account on the social media platform “X”, that the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation issued a decision to postpone the anticipated match that was to bring together the first football team with its counterpart, the Iraqi Zakho team, due to the current situation in the region, and out of concern for everyone’s safety and to ensure that the matches are held in ideal conditions.

The match, originally scheduled to be played at Al-Shabab Club's stadium in Riyadh on Tuesday evening, was part of the semi-finals of the Gulf Champions League. This season's tournament has witnessed fierce competition and a strong resurgence of Gulf clubs vying for the regional title. The postponement puts an end to speculation surrounding the match's fate given the current circumstances. A new date for the encounter is expected to be determined later in coordination between the two clubs and the organizing federation.

On the technical front, this decision alters Al-Shabab's preparations this week. Instead of focusing on the Gulf competition, the club's coaching staff will now concentrate entirely on domestic fixtures, specifically the upcoming match in the Saudi Professional League. The team is preparing to face Al-Ettifaq next Saturday evening in the 25th round of the competition, a match in which Al-Shabab aims to improve its position in the league standings.

The Gulf Champions League holds special significance for the participating clubs, representing an opportunity to strengthen sporting ties between the youth of the GCC countries and Iraq, as well as serving as a platform to showcase the development of football in the region. The fact that Al-Shabab and Zakho have reached the semi-finals is a testament to the high level of play they have demonstrated throughout the tournament, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming match.

Al-Shabab is expected to benefit from this postponement, giving its players extra rest and allowing them to regroup tactically before returning to the pressure of domestic matches. This is especially important given that the Saudi Professional League demands high levels of physical and mental readiness during the crucial final stages of the season. Fans of both Al-Shabab and Iraq will be eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the new date for the resumption of this Gulf football tournament.