The Yellow League competitions for first division clubs witnessed a strong and exciting start this Sunday afternoon as part of the activities of round (21) of the current edition of the competition, as two matches were held that carried a lot of competitiveness and dramatic changes that reflect the development of the technical level of the championship.

Al-Ta'i and Al-Ra'id... Excitement until the very last breath

In the first match held at Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, Al-Raed failed to maintain their comfortable two-goal lead, falling into the trap of a positive draw (2-2) against their host Al-Ta’ee in a scenario that even the most pessimistic of the visiting supporters did not expect.

Al-Raed started the match strongly, with Jallo Zinho opening the scoring in the 39th minute. His teammate, Omar Gonzalez, then doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time (45+1), leading everyone to believe the match was over. However, Al-Tai showed great character in the second half, with Hussein Al-Shurafa pulling a goal back in the 64th minute. The drama reached its peak in the tenth minute of stoppage time (90+10) when goalkeeper Abdulrahman Daghriri turned striker and snatched a dramatic equalizer for his team.

This draw raised Al-Ta’ee’s tally to 25 points in tenth place, while Al-Raed reached 29 points in eighth place, igniting competition in the middle of the standings.

Al-Arabi's comeback against Al-Adala

At King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Arabi staged a remarkable comeback, turning a one-goal deficit into a valuable 2-1 victory over their guests, Al-Adalah. Al-Adalah took the lead first through their player, Ranga, in the 59th minute, but Al-Arabi responded quickly and decisively.

Panom Gatouchi equalized for Al-Arabi in the 67th minute, before Fahad Al-Jahani secured the victory for his team with a goal in the 76th minute. This win is crucial in the relegation battle, as Al-Arabi raised their points tally to 13, placing them 16th and reducing the gap with Al-Adalah in 15th place (15 points) to just two points.

Importance and competitiveness of the Yellow League

The results of this round demonstrate the remarkable improvement in the level of the Yelo League, where the technical gaps between teams are no longer significant, making it more difficult to predict outcomes. The tournament has gained considerable importance as the main gateway to the professional league (Roshen), prompting clubs to strengthen their squads with high-caliber local and international players. This has been reflected in the technical performance on the field and has increased fan attendance and media coverage of the competition.

Private sources within the Saudi Al-Nassr club revealed the final date for the first appearance of the team's captain, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, after a short absence that kept him from participating with "Al-Aalami" during the last two crucial rounds in the Roshan Professional League standings, which raised questions from fans about when he would return to the green field.

Sources have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will make his first appearance in Al-Nassr's upcoming league match against Al-Fateh, returning to the starting lineup after missing the previous two matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad. This return is expected to bolster the team's attacking prowess at a crucial stage of the competition, as Al-Nassr fans are counting heavily on their veteran captain to secure points and maintain their pursuit of domestic titles.

Regarding the team's performance during the absence of their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr demonstrated their cohesion and ability to secure victories. They successfully overcame Al-Riyadh with a clean sheet. More importantly, they clinched a thrilling derby victory against their arch-rivals, Al-Ittihad, in the previous round, winning 2-0 at Al-Ahli Park in front of a packed stadium. This victory reflects the depth of the squad and the fighting spirit the team possesses, even without their key players.

In a related context regarding continental competitions, Al-Nassr is preparing to face Turkmenistan's Arkadağ in the next round of the AFC Champions League group stage. Reports indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo will miss this Asian encounter due to a personal and technical decision, perhaps to give him more rest and full readiness for the more intense domestic league fixtures.

Ronaldo's return against Al-Fateh is of paramount importance, not only technically but also psychologically, as the Portuguese star carries significant weight both in the locker room and on the pitch. Al-Nassr's coaching staff hopes to capitalize on his return to continue their winning streak, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season, where every point is crucial in the title race. Saudi and international fans eagerly await the return of the all-time leading scorer to resume his goal-scoring form and lead his team to victory.

Al-Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi has confirmed his team's complete readiness for their upcoming match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE, in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage. These statements come as the Saudi club seeks to reaffirm its continental dominance and continue its winning streak. The match will be played at the Emirati team's home stadium amidst great anticipation from fans.

In the pre-match press conference, Inzaghi clarified the team's ambitions, emphasizing that securing qualification for the knockout stages did not mean complacency in any way. He stated, "The match against Shabab Al-Ahli is crucial for us to maintain our lead in the Asian Champions League standings. We aim to win and continue our winning streak to maintain our position at the top of the group." This statement reflects the professional mindset with which the team is managed, as Al-Hilal considers every match a championship in itself, and that maintaining the top spot holds significant moral and tactical importance in the team's journey towards the title.

Decision to exclude Marcus Leonardo

Regarding the controversy surrounding the absence of certain players, Inzaghi explained with complete transparency the reasons for excluding Marcos Leonardo, thus putting an end to any inaccurate speculation. He stated, "The exclusion of Marcos Leonardo was a purely technical decision. In the Asian Champions League, we have greater flexibility and a wider range of player options compared to the restrictions in the domestic league, which force us to make specific choices." This explanation highlights the coaching staff's strategy of utilizing the AFC regulations, which grant clubs greater freedom in rotating foreign players compared to domestic competitions, allowing the coach to select the most suitable lineup for each match.

Facing challenges and fatigue

The coach also addressed the physical challenges facing the players due to the congested fixture schedule and the succession of tournaments. He indicated the coaching staff's intention to make some adjustments, saying, "There will be changes to the lineup tomorrow, and this is due to fatigue, but our determination and resolve to achieve a strong result are unwavering." This approach underscores the coaching staff's awareness of the need to balance securing victories with maintaining the players' well-being to complete the long and demanding season.

Respecting the opponent and Al-Hilal's history

Speaking about their opponents, Inzaghi expressed great respect for Shabab Al-Ahli, praising their technical abilities and their lead in the domestic league. He said, "I've watched several Shabab Al-Ahli matches, and they are a very good team, currently top of their league. However, we are confident in our own capabilities and potential." This match holds particular significance in the regional context, as it pits two of the biggest clubs in the Gulf and Asia against each other. Al-Hilal, with its rich history and numerous records in Asian championships, aims to add another victory to solidify its position as one of the leading contenders for the title in the new edition of the AFC Champions League, relying on its accumulated experience and the winning mentality that has characterized the team on the international stage.