The coaching staff of Al-Shabab FC received a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of the resumption of the Saudi Professional League, with the club officially announcing the readiness of Moroccan star Abderrazak Hamdallah to participate in the upcoming match against Al-Kholoud FC. This match is part of the 21st round of the competition and is scheduled to be held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.

Al-Shabab's media center confirmed in an official statement published on the social media platform "X" (formerly Twitter) that the Moroccan striker had actively participated in the team's group training sessions, following the completion of his recent treatment and rehabilitation program to recover from a muscle injury. Hamdallah's return is considered a major boost for the coach, given his high goal-scoring record and extensive experience in Saudi football.

Abderrazak Hamdallah had been sidelined for Al-Shabab due to a muscle injury, depriving the team of his services in crucial domestic and continental competitions. His return comes at a pivotal time in the season, as Al-Shabab aims to improve its league position and compete strongly for top spots that would qualify them for Asian tournaments, relying on the goal-scoring prowess of the player who has long been a key figure in the Saudi league's attack.

Hamdallah boasts a distinguished and historic record in the Saudi Professional League, having previously represented Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad and achieved numerous records, including winning the league's top scorer title on multiple occasions. Al-Shabab fans view his return with great optimism, relying on him to convert chances into goals and decide difficult matches, especially given the intense competition in this season's league, which features a host of world-class players.

The match between Al-Shabab and Al-Kholoud is scheduled for Saturday evening, with Al-Shabab traveling to Buraidah for a challenging away game. The match holds particular significance for both sides; Al-Shabab aims to continue their winning streak and confirm the return of their star player, while Al-Kholoud seeks to capitalize on home advantage and secure a positive result against one of the league's top teams.

All eyes in Saudi football are on Jeddah, where Al-Ittihad's new French signing, Georges Ellienkina, is set to make his debut in the team's training session this Wednesday evening. This important step comes as part of Al-Ittihad's intensive preparations for the highly anticipated and fiery clash against their traditional rivals, Al-Nassr, in a football derby eagerly awaited by fans.

Young striker George Ilyinkina arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah early Wednesday morning, coming from Monaco, France, after Al-Ittihad's management successfully secured his services during the winter transfer window. This signing is considered a significant addition to the Tigers' attack, with the coaching staff and Al-Ittihad fans placing great hope in the player's abilities to bolster the team's scoring prowess in the second half of the season.

In a related development, Al-Ittihad is intensifying its technical and physical preparations for its upcoming match against Al-Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. The derby, scheduled for 8:30 PM on Friday, February 6th, is part of the league's fixtures. This match carries immense importance, extending far beyond the three points at stake, given the long-standing and historic rivalry between the two clubs and the direct impact its outcome will have on both teams' morale for the remainder of the season.

In terms of the league standings, Al-Ittihad enters the match needing every point to climb back up the table, currently sitting in sixth place with 34 points. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr is enjoying a period of excellent form, occupying second place with 46 points and aiming to close the gap and seize the top spot. They are only one point behind league leaders Al-Hilal, making Friday's match a crucial turning point in the title race.

The signing of Elenikina reflects the Saudi league's continued strategy of attracting young international talent, not just established stars, thus enhancing the league's market and technical value on the international stage. A large crowd is expected at the stadium to welcome the new player and support the team in this crucial match, which could reshape the landscape of the Golden Square competition.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee is holding its regular meeting for referees of the Roshan Professional League and the Yelo First Division League in Buraidah, in a move aimed at enhancing the technical and physical competence of match officials. The Yelo League referees' gathering is scheduled for February 5-7, followed immediately by the Roshan Professional League referees' gathering from February 9-11, as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the quality of refereeing performance.

Comprehensive artistic and physical program

This meeting is part of the Referees Committee's strategic approach to managing the refereeing system in the Kingdom, which is based primarily on the principle of continuous evaluation and rigorous technical review. The program for this gathering includes two daily sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening, to ensure comprehensive coverage of all developmental aspects. These sessions include intensive fitness and conditioning training to ensure referees are ready for high-intensity matches, as well as theoretical and developmental lectures discussing the latest updates to the Laws of the Game.

Focus on Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology

The program places particular emphasis on fostering harmony between on-field referees and Video Assistant Referees (VAR). During the meeting, a thorough analysis of key refereeing decisions from previous rounds will be conducted, and the decisions made will be discussed with complete transparency, aiming to standardize rulings and prevent the recurrence of errors. The schedule also includes additional, intensive training on VAR techniques to ensure swift and accurate decision-making, a cornerstone of modern football for guaranteeing fair competition.

Keeping pace with the global development of the Roshan League

This meeting takes on added importance given the tremendous transformation Saudi football is undergoing, with the Roshan Professional League becoming a global focal point thanks to attracting the game's biggest stars. This significant development places a heightened responsibility on Saudi referees to keep pace with the speed and intensity of the competition and deliver performances befitting the league's rising regional and international reputation. Through these periodic training camps in various cities, such as Buraidah, the committee aims to develop national referees capable of managing the most demanding matches with high efficiency, thereby boosting confidence in local referees and reducing reliance on foreign crews except in exceptional circumstances.

In conclusion, the selection of Buraidah to host this gathering confirms the Saudi Football Federation’s keenness to expand its activities to include various regions of the Kingdom, and to provide the appropriate environment for referees to focus and make the most of the prepared program.