Ahmed Sharahili, the rock of the first football team’s defense at Al-Ittihad Club, made important and strong statements regarding the crucial challenges that await the Dean in the coming period, most notably the anticipated Saudi football classic against Al-Hilal Club, in addition to the expected continental confrontation against Al-Sadd of Qatar.

Continental focus before local clash

Speaking on the "Our League is Different" program, Sharahili emphasized the importance of a gradual approach and avoiding premature conclusions, stressing that the current priority is entirely focused on the Asian competition. Sharahili stated, "Our current focus is completely on the team's upcoming match against Al Sadd of Qatar in the AFC Champions League." These remarks reflect the professional mindset within the club, where the Asian Champions League is considered a strategic objective for major Saudi clubs to solidify their continental dominance.

Al-Hilal's classic match: Special preparations

Regarding the highly anticipated match in the Saudi Professional League against their traditional rivals, Al-Hilal, which will be held at Al-Inma Stadium, Sharahili explained that this match has a special character and considerations entirely different from the rest of the league matches. He pointed out that "the Al-Hilal match will require special preparation in every aspect," reflecting the players' awareness of the importance of the derby and its direct impact on the league standings, as matches between the two teams always attract massive public and media attention both locally and regionally.

Emotional confrontation against Karim Benzema

In a related context, Sharahili spoke about the emotional and professional encounter he will have with his former teammate, French star Karim Benzema, in their first meeting since the latter's departure from Al-Ittihad. Sharahili commented with heartfelt words that blended friendship and professionalism, saying: "Karim Benzema is undoubtedly like a brother to me, and that's life and football. I wish him all the best in his new career.".

The international defender clarified that friendship ends at the starting whistle, adding: "My first and last goal is to help my team. I have a strong friendship with Benzema, but on the pitch, loyalty to Al-Ittihad is the motto." This match is a special occasion for the fans who have grown attached to the French star during his time with the club, adding extra excitement to the encounter.

Physical readiness and reassurances to the fans

Sharahili concluded his remarks by reassuring Al-Ittihad fans about his health following reports of an injury, stating: "I sustained an injury, but thankfully it's minor, and I will be ready for the team's upcoming match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, as well as the Al-Hilal game, as normal." Sharahili's return and readiness are considered a tremendous morale and tactical boost for Al-Ittihad's defense, given his extensive experience and ability to handle high-pressure matches.

In a match that was competitive and exciting until its last moments, Al-Ittihad Club snatched three valuable points after its difficult victory over its guest Al-Fayha with a score of 2-1, in the match that was held at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Friday evening, as part of the competitions of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League.

First half details and Al-Ittihad's dominance

Al-Ittihad entered the match with clear attacking intentions from the opening minutes, buoyed by their large and passionate fanbase. The players surged forward into Al-Fayha's half, searching for an early goal to unsettle the visitors. Despite dominating possession, genuine scoring opportunities were scarce in the first quarter of an hour, until Abdulaziz Al-Bishi broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a thunderous shot that crashed against the crossbar, leaving the fans breathless.

Al-Ittihad continued their pressure, with Algerian star Houssem Aouar unleashing a powerful shot in the 33rd minute, but Al-Fayha's Panamanian goalkeeper, Orlando Mosquera, made a brilliant save. Relief came for Al-Ittihad in the 36th minute from a perfectly executed corner kick. Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri rose above everyone to head the ball past Mosquera, giving the home side a 1-0 lead at halftime.

The excitement of the second half and the decisive comeback

With the start of the second half, the dynamics shifted, as Al-Fayha abandoned their defensive caution and began exchanging attacks with Al-Ittihad. The visitors almost equalized early on, but for the brilliance of Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic, who made a superb save from Spaniard Jason Remeseiro's header in the 53rd minute. However, Al-Fayha's persistence paid off with an equalizer just a minute later, in the 55th minute, when Zambian striker Fashion Sakala met a cross and cleverly headed it past Rajkovic.

After the equalizer, Al-Ittihad threw everything into attack to regain the lead. A dangerous opportunity fell to Frenchman Moussa Diaby in the 65th minute, but his shot was deflected for a corner. Then, in the 75th minute, Malian Mohamed Doumbia unleashed a powerful shot that went just wide of the post. In the 83rd minute, a defensive lapse was exploited by defender Hassan Kadash, whose powerful shot deflected off a defender and into the net, giving Al-Ittihad their second goal. In the dying moments, the crossbar denied Al-Fayha an equalizer, deflecting a dangerous header from Sakala in the 87th minute.

The importance of winning and the two teams' positions in the standings

This victory is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad in their season, as the team strives to improve their league position and compete for continental qualification spots, especially given the fierce competition in this year's Roshan League, which features a host of world-class players. This win restores confidence to the team and its fans, and reaffirms the Tigers' ability to win tough matches.

With this result, Al-Ittihad raised their points tally to 37, taking a significant step towards sixth place and attempting to catch up with the leading pack. Meanwhile, Al-Fayha's points remained at 23, leaving them in twelfth place, which puts them in the relegation zone and necessitates a reassessment of their strategy in the upcoming rounds to secure their position in the safe zone and avoid the drop.

Young Saudi champion Mohammed Al-Nisfan to etch his name in the annals of Saudi squash, having secured his place in the final of the PSA 3K tournament, currently being held in Riyadh. This tournament is part of a growing number of sporting events in the Kingdom, taking place from February 12th to 14th, amidst significant media and public interest.

Al-Nisfan's qualification came after a thrilling and dramatic semi-final match that kept the audience on the edge of their seats, where he faced his Kuwaiti counterpart, Saif Haikal. The Saudi star managed to secure the victory with a score of 3 sets to 2, in a match that showcased his endurance and mental fortitude. Al-Nisfan started the match strongly, winning the first set, but the Kuwaiti player came back strongly and took the second and third sets, leaving Al-Nisfan trailing 2 sets to 1. In the decisive moments, the young champion managed to turn the tables and achieve a remarkable comeback by winning the fourth and fifth sets, thus securing his place in the dream final.

Mohammed Al-Nisfan is preparing for his biggest challenge tomorrow, Friday, at 8:00 PM, when he faces Egyptian player Karim Badawi . Badawi secured his place in the final after a dominant performance, defeating Kuwaiti player Bader Al-Maghrabi in three straight games (3-0), setting the stage for a fiery clash between the Saudi and Egyptian schools of squash.

This tournament holds particular significance as it is one of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) events being held in Saudi Arabia for the first time in this category (3K). The tournament features 16 professional players representing five countries: Saudi Arabia (the host country), Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, and Canada. Organizing such tournaments is a strategic step aimed at raising the international rankings of Saudi players and exposing them to different playing styles.

This event comes within the context of the comprehensive sporting renaissance that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing under Vision 2030 , which places great emphasis on diversifying sports and hosting international championships. Organizing Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments within the Kingdom contributes to strengthening the infrastructure of squash, encouraging young talent to pursue professional careers in the sport, and enhancing Riyadh's position as a global destination for major sporting events.

It is worth noting that the arrival of a Saudi player to the final of a tournament accredited by the Professional Squash Association is a positive indicator of the development of the game locally, and reflects the efforts made by the Saudi Squash Federation in developing technical staff and players to compete in international and regional forums.