The end of the Al-Fateh and Al-Ittihad match, which was held at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa as part of the nineteenth round of the Saudi Roshan League, witnessed touching human moments, the hero of which was the young Al-Fateh player Ahmed Al-Jalidan, who broke down in a severe crying fit as soon as the final whistle blew.

Al-Jalidan's emotional reaction stemmed from his guilt after a late error that conceded a penalty to Al-Ittihad in the 84th minute. Saleh Al-Shehri converted the spot-kick, giving Al-Ittihad a crucial 2-1 lead. Although his Argentine teammate, Matias Vargas, salvaged a point with a dramatic equalizer for Al-Fateh in the ninth minute of stoppage time (90+9), it wasn't enough to appease the young player, who remained deeply affected by the mistake that nearly cost his team the match.

Background of the match and its competitive context

This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League (2023-2024), which has garnered significant media and fan attention thanks to the attraction of top international football stars. Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, entered the match looking to improve their position in the standings and close the gap on the league leaders, while Al-Fateh, under the guidance of their coach Slaven Bilic, aimed to secure a positive result at home in front of their fans against one of the league's strongest teams. This highly competitive environment increased the pressure on the players, which partially explains Al-Jalidan's strong emotional reaction.

The importance and impact of the shot

The image of Ahmed Al-Jalidan crying transcended the boundaries of the pitch, becoming a sensation in the sports world. It highlighted the human side of football and the immense psychological pressure players face. The scene demonstrated the player's deep loyalty to his club and his profound sense of responsibility towards his team and fans. Regionally, such scenes reflect the passion of Saudi players and the rising level of competitiveness in the league, adding to its appeal to viewers worldwide. They also serve as a powerful message to young players about the importance of commitment and fighting spirit, even in the most difficult moments.

In the end, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, in an exciting encounter that witnessed dramatic twists and turns until the last moments, with both teams adding a point to their tally. But the most memorable moment was Ahmed Al-Jalidan’s tears, which summarized all the meanings of passion and belonging in the world of football.

On an exceptional night of football at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Portuguese star Ruben Neves, the Al-Hilal midfielder, stole the show with a spectacular goal, considered one of the most beautiful of the season, during his team's match against Al-Qadisiyah in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The goal was anything but ordinary; it came directly from a corner kick, with Neves sending a perfectly curling shot into the far corner of goalkeeper Koen Castilles' net, leaving him helpless against the precision and brilliance of the strike.

Background to the event and Neves' continued brilliance

This goal underscores the significant contribution Ruben Neves has made to Al-Hilal and the Saudi League in general since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer transfer window. Neves is known for his exceptional long-range shooting and set-piece abilities, which he demonstrated brilliantly in this instance. The goal also reflects the Portuguese star's rapid adaptation to Al-Hilal, where he has become a key player in coach Jorge Jesus's lineup, contributing effectively to the team's positive results. His impact is evident in the statistics: after this match, his total goal contributions reached 13 (8 goals and 5 assists) in just 16 league appearances, an impressive rate for a midfielder.

The importance of the match and its impact on the league

The match was not easy for the league leaders. Despite Al-Hilal taking an early lead through Neves, Al-Qadisiyah displayed strong character and managed to get back into the game. Their Uruguayan player, Nahitan Nandez, scored the equalizer after capitalizing on a loose ball inside the penalty area. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that serves Al-Hilal's ambitions to maintain their lead and widen the gap with their rivals. However, it also demonstrates the fierce competition in the Roshan League this season, where no opponent can be underestimated.

Internationally, such world-class goals scored by stars of Neves' caliber contribute to the increased popularity and global following of the Saudi League. The presence of top-tier players not only elevates the technical level of the competition but also attracts the attention of international media and fans, thus reinforcing the Roshan League's status as one of the major competitive leagues on the international stage, which aligns with the developmental vision for sports in Saudi Arabia.

A historic achievement that breaks the runner-up curse

In a historic moment for Bahraini and Asian handball, the Bahraini national team etched its name in gold by winning the 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship, held in Kuwait. This remarkable achievement, which qualifies the "Red Handball" team directly for the 2027 World Men's Handball Championship in Germany, came after a marathon and thrilling final match against Qatar, which Bahrain won 29-26 after extra time.

The first half ended with Bahrain leading 14-11, but the Qatari team, six-time defending champions, showed their strength and came back in the second half to level the score at 24-24, forcing the match into overtime. In overtime, the Bahraini players displayed remarkable focus and fighting spirit, enabling them to secure the victory and claim the long-awaited title.

Historical background: The end of a hegemony and the beginning of a new era

This victory is not just a continental title; it marks the end of an era of absolute dominance for the Qatari national handball team, which won the title in six consecutive editions (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024). It also breaks the "second-place curse" that plagued the Bahraini national team for many years, having reached the final five times previously and lost each time (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022), many of those defeats against the Qatari team itself, adding a touch of revenge and a special flavor to this victory.

The importance of winning and its future impact

Domestically, this victory is a tremendous morale boost for handball in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and is expected to inspire a new generation of players and contribute to the increased popularity of the sport. Regionally, Bahrain's win redraws the map of power in Asia, reigniting competition after a period of Qatari dominance and highlighting the significant progress Bahraini handball has made as a result of continuous planning and hard work. Internationally, this title places the Bahraini national team among the continent's elite, granting them a valuable opportunity to compete at the highest level in the 2027 World Championship and present a positive image of Asian handball on the world stage.