In an unexpected move that raised many questions in Saudi sports circles, the press conference of the Portuguese technical director of Al-Ittihad Club, Sergio Conceição, which was scheduled to be held after the end of the team’s match against Al-Najma in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League, was cancelled.

This cancellation overshadowed the valuable victory achieved by “Al-Ittihad” with a single goal, as the field reporter explained that the official reason announced was the absence of coach Conceição at the time allocated for the conference, which opened the door to speculation about the real reasons behind this absence.

Background of the event and the importance of the match

This event comes at a crucial juncture for Al-Ittihad this season. After a series of inconsistent results, the team desperately needed a victory to solidify their position in the league table and move closer to qualifying for Asian competitions. The win against Al-Najma raised their points tally to 34, temporarily placing them sixth, but the performance wasn't entirely convincing for many fans, as the narrow 1-0 victory was hard-fought.

Coach Sergio Conceicao, who has a successful coaching career with Portuguese club Porto, is known for his strong personality and great passion, which makes his absence from the media platform surprising, especially after achieving a victory that the team desperately needed.

Expected impact and dimensions of the incident

Locally, the cancellation of the press conference sparked widespread controversy among Al-Ittihad fans and sports analysts. Press conferences are a crucial platform for coaches to explain their tactical views, evaluate player performance, and communicate directly with the media and the public. Conceição's absence could be interpreted as an indirect message, perhaps expressing his dissatisfaction with the team's overall performance despite the victory, or there may be other undisclosed administrative or personal reasons.

On a regional and international level, the Saudi Professional League enjoys unprecedented global attention after attracting world-class stars and coaches. Such incidents, though seemingly minor, fall under the scrutiny of the international media, which closely monitors the level of professionalism and organization within the competition. The absence of a coach of Conceição's stature from a crucial media engagement raises questions about the club's internal environment and its adherence to the media protocols followed in major leagues.

In conclusion, while Al-Ittihad celebrates the three points, the absence of their coach from the press conference remains the most prominent event that has left behind major question marks, pending what the coming hours will reveal in terms of official clarifications from the club's management or the coach himself to end the existing controversy.

In a thrilling and closely contested match at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Al-Fateh managed to snatch a valuable 1-1 draw against their guests, Al-Hazm, in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This result confirms Al-Fateh's fighting spirit, as they have become specialists in turning the game around in the final minutes for the second consecutive match.

The context of the match and its importance in the Roshan League

This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention thanks to attracting international stars, significantly raising the level of competition. For Al-Fateh and Al-Hazm, every point is crucial in improving their position in the standings and distancing themselves from the relegation zone. The competition in the middle of the table is no less fierce than the battle for the top spot, as clubs strive to secure a stable position that guarantees their survival and participation in the top flight next season.

First half details and Hazmawi dominance

The match began with Al-Hazm enjoying a slight advantage, proving to be the more dangerous side and creating more scoring opportunities. Veteran Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah was a constant threat to Al-Fateh's defense, unleashing a powerful free kick in the 10th minute, but Spanish goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco was equal to the task. Al-Hazm continued their pressure with another powerful shot from Mohammed Al-Yami in the 21st minute, which Pacheco brilliantly saved. This pressure finally paid off when Al-Hazm were awarded a well-deserved penalty, which Omar Al-Somah stepped up to convert successfully in the 42nd minute, giving his team the lead and ending the first half with the visitors ahead.

The coaches' phase and the Fatah comeback

In the second half, Al-Fateh came out with a clear desire to equalize, and almost achieved this early on through a direct free kick taken by Moroccan star Mourad Batna in the 51st minute, but his shot went just wide of the post. Meanwhile, Al-Hazm missed a golden opportunity to seal the victory when Nawaf Al-Habashi found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 55th minute, but goalkeeper Pacheco made another brilliant save to deny him. Al-Fateh didn't give up, and Algerian Sofiane Bendebka had a golden chance inside the penalty area in the 61st minute, but his shot went wide. He then headed another effort, which was caught by Al-Hazm goalkeeper Bruno Varela.

The decisive equalizer and its impact

Both sides continued their efforts until the final minutes, which saw intense pressure from the home team. In the first minute of stoppage time (90+1), a cross into the penalty area was met by Portuguese defender Jorge Fernandes, who slotted the ball into the net, sparking wild celebrations among Al-Fateh fans who rejoiced in the valuable draw. With this result, Al-Fateh raised their points tally to 23, while Al-Hazm reached 21 points, intensifying the battle in the middle of the league standings.

Al-Ittihad secured a valuable but lackluster 1-0 victory over Al-Najma at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, in a matchday 20 fixture of the Saudi Professional League. Despite dominating possession, Al-Ittihad struggled to secure the three points, which came courtesy of an early goal from Malian striker Mohamed Doumbia. The win lifts Al-Ittihad to 34 points, strengthening their hold on sixth place, while Al-Najma remain rooted to the bottom of the table with five points, further complicating their fight to avoid relegation.

The context of the match and its importance in the Roshan League

This encounter comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi Professional League, which has captured global attention thanks to the presence of a constellation of international stars. Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, enter this match under immense pressure to improve their results and return to contention for the top spots that qualify them for Asian championships, after a series of setbacks that have distanced them from the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Al-Najma approaches every match as if it were a final, striving to accumulate points in the hope of pulling off an upset and remaining in the top flight. This gives their matches against the major teams a unique competitive edge, despite the disparity in resources.

Details and events of the meeting

Al-Ittihad wasted no time in asserting their dominance, taking the lead in the fourth minute. The goal came after a well-organized team move culminating in a perfectly placed cross, which Malian striker Mohamedou Doumbia with a powerful shot that nestled into the bottom right corner of Brazilian goalkeeper Victor Braga's net. Following the goal, Al-Najma attempted a swift response with a dangerous counter-attack in the 13th minute, but Serbian goalkeeper Rajkovic's brilliance prevented them from equalizing. Al-Ittihad continued their pressure, searching for a second goal to seal the victory. Algerian Houssem Aouar unleashed a powerful shot in the 22nd minute, but Braga was equal to the task, making a fine save to ensure the first half ended with Al-Ittihad leading 1-0.

In the second half, the match continued in much the same vein, with Al-Ittihad maintaining their dominance and squandering several clear-cut chances to extend their lead. In the 50th minute, Houssem Aouar missed a golden opportunity when he rose to meet a cross but headed it just wide of the post. Goalkeeper Rajkovic was called into action again in the 55th minute, making a fine save from a powerful shot by Honduran star Dibi Flores. Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad's goalkeeper, Victor Braga, was the star of the show, making two excellent saves from Frenchman Moussa Diaby in the 57th and 70th minutes, turning the second effort behind for a corner.

Impact of the result and the future of the teams

Despite the victory, Al-Ittihad's performance was unconvincing for their fans, as the match revealed a clear problem in finishing attacks and capitalizing on opportunities. This was glaringly evident in the bizarre chance missed by young striker Talal Haji in the 84th minute in front of goal. This win gives Al-Ittihad three vital points in the league standings, but it raises questions about the team's ability to compete strongly if this level of missed chances continues. On the other hand, Al-Najma delivered a commendable fighting performance and almost snatched a valuable point in stoppage time, were it not for Rajkovic's crucial saves from shots by Iraqi Ali Jassim and Majid Duran. The team ultimately lost, but earned the respect of the fans.