Al-Ittihad fans endured hours of intense anticipation and anxiety, awaiting news on the fate of international defender Hassan Kadash and his availability for the crucial upcoming match against arch-rivals Al-Hilal. These legitimate concerns arose after the "Dean's" defensive stalwart suffered a worrying injury during his participation in the team's recent match against Al-Sadd of Qatar, which took place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium as part of the eighth round of the AFC Champions League.

Details of Hassan Kadash's injury and his status for El Clásico

In a positive development that has reassured fans, sources close to the club revealed to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi the final medical diagnosis of the player's injury. Reports confirmed that Hassan Kadash suffered only a minor bruise that is not a cause for concern, and that he has successfully recovered. Consequently, the player is now fully fit, both physically and technically, to start in Al-Hilal's upcoming match , making him a valuable asset for the coaching staff in this crucial encounter.

The importance of Kadesh in Conceição's tactics

Kadesh's presence is a cornerstone of Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição's , as he relies heavily on him to control the back line. The player's importance is amplified by his successful defensive partnership with professional Danilo Pereira; the coach depends on this duo to secure the defensive depth and counter Al-Hilal's formidable attacking arsenal. Therefore, Kadesh's availability is welcome news, boosting the team's chances of keeping a clean sheet or minimizing the threat on their goal.

A morale boost after Al Sadd's four goals

Al-Ittihad enters the derby with sky-high morale, drawing strength from their resounding continental victory over Qatar's Al-Sadd by a score of 4-1. This win was more than just three points in the AFC Champions League; it was a powerful message to their rivals, confirming that the "Tigers" have regained their prestige and attacking prowess, something the team aims to capitalize on both tactically and psychologically when they face Al-Hilal.

The Saudi Clasico: A battle that transcends points

The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match carries strategic and historical significance that transcends the mere three points; it is the "Saudi Arabian football classic," attracting a massive following across the Arab and Asian football scenes. The match comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with each side striving to assert its dominance and prove its worthiness to compete for domestic titles. Therefore, the return of key players like Hassan Kadash is a decisive factor in the balance of power, bolstering the aspirations of Al-Ittihad fans to see their team deliver a performance worthy of its illustrious history and achieve a positive result that breaks any recent dominance of their rivals.

In important statements ahead of the anticipated Clasico, Algerian star Houssem Aouar , midfielder for Al-Ittihad, commented on the event that has recently preoccupied the Saudi sports scene, namely the departure of French star Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad and his move to their traditional rival, Al-Hilal, during the last winter transfer window.

Aouar's statements to the media and the league's official broadcaster came after the team's heroic performance against Al Sadd of Qatar, putting an end to rumors about the Al Ittihad dressing room being affected by the departure of their former captain. Speaking with a confident and highly professional tone, Aouar said: "What happened is normal in the world of football; transfers are part of the game. Karim Benzema is a fantastic player and has given a lot, but we are here to fight, and I say this to everyone: we will fight until the end wearing the Al Ittihad jersey.".

Al-Ittihad overcomes the transfer shock and focuses on the field

These statements come at a highly sensitive time, as Al-Ittihad prepares to face Al-Hilal in the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League . This match takes on added significance as it is the first encounter between the two teams since Benzema's transfer to the other side, adding an unprecedented level of excitement and competitiveness to the "Saudi Clasico."

Awar stressed that the team's focus is entirely on the pitch, adding: “Our team is progressing steadily and thoughtfully. We are taking the season one step at a time, and we will take it one game at a time to continue our success in local and continental competitions. Our main goal is to continue our success in all available tournaments and to bring joy to the loyal Al-Ittihad fans who deserve to be happy.”.

Asian morale boost ahead of the local derby

Al-Ittihad enters the match against Al-Hilal with very high morale, drawing strength from their recent resounding victory over Qatari club Al-Sadd. The Tigers managed to dismantle the Qatari team's defense with four goals to one in the eighth round of the AFC Champions League .

This resounding victory wasn't just about securing three Asian points; it was a powerful message to rivals both domestically and continentally, demonstrating that Al-Ittihad is strong regardless of who is playing, and that the team's collective strength is capable of compensating for the departure of any star player, no matter how important. The coach and fans are counting on Houssem Aouar and his teammates to replicate this strong performance against Al-Hilal to close the gap and seriously contend for the league title.

It is worth noting that the transfer of players of Karim Benzema’s caliber between top clubs in the Saudi League reflects the tremendous development that sports are witnessing in the Kingdom, and the strength of the competitiveness that has become the focus of the world’s attention. However, the real response is always on the field, which is what Aouar promised the Al-Ittihad fans.

Roger Fernandez the young professional player for Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad Club , has provided urgent financial and medical support to the victims of the tragic fire that recently broke out in his hometown of Bafatta. This initiative comes in response to the difficult circumstances left by the devastating incident, which resulted in numerous injuries and burns among local residents.

Details of the incident and the intervention of the Al-Ittihad star

The incident began with a massive fire at an unlicensed fuel station, which spread rapidly before being brought under control, leaving behind a number of victims and people with burns of varying severity. In response to this crisis, Fernandez acted swiftly to offer assistance to his fellow citizens.

Anelo da Costa confirmed that the Al-Ittihad star did not hesitate for a moment to send substantial financial assistance. Da Costa explained that the primary purpose of these funds is to purchase urgently needed medicines and medical supplies to treat the injured players, ensuring they receive the necessary care as quickly as possible.

Directing support to Bafata Regional Hospital

The player's uncle told the Portuguese newspaper that the aid was not limited to direct financial support, but also included the provision of vital medications. He said, "Roger has sent the financial assistance and will deliver the medications today, Wednesday, to the Bafata Regional Hospital , as well as several other health centers, to support the medical staff in treating critical cases."

Background on the dangers of haphazard fuel storage

This incident highlights a recurring problem in many developing areas, where some resort to selling fuel at unlicensed points or storing it in rudimentary ways that lack safety standards. These points are often ticking time bombs within residential neighborhoods, where even a small spark can lead to a humanitarian disaster, as happened in Bafata. A swift response from public figures and influencers, such as professional footballers, is crucial in mitigating the impact of such disasters on a local healthcare system that may be under-resourced.

The social role of Roshan League professionals

Roger Fernandez's actions are not unusual for football stars, especially those playing in the Saudi Professional League , who consistently demonstrate a strong moral commitment to their home communities. This stance illustrates how sport can be a bridge of hope, with players leveraging their global success to support health and social infrastructure in their countries. According to those close to him, Fernandez has confirmed his complete readiness to continue providing support until all those affected have recovered and their lives have returned to normal, further solidifying his reputation not only as a talented player on the pitch but also as a principled individual off it.