A state of sadness and sympathy prevailed at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium (Al-Akhdoud Stadium) during the match between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Akhdoud teams in the thirteenth round of the Saudi Professional League competition, after the touching scene in which the hero was the Egyptian star Ahmed Hassan Kouka, the striker of Al-Ettifaq Club.
The Egyptian international striker suffered a serious injury that forced him to leave the field. Koka broke down in tears, reflecting the extent of the pain and fear he felt upon falling. These tears express the player's anxiety about the specter of long-term injuries that could keep him off the pitch for extended periods, especially given the fierce competition in the Saudi league this season and his desire to prove himself with Al-Nassr.
A humanitarian gesture from Saad Al-Shehri
In a heartwarming moment, Al-Ettifaq's head coach, Saad Al-Shehri, quickly intervened to defuse the situation immediately after the player was substituted. Al-Shehri comforted Koka, offering him words of encouragement to lift his spirits before he left the field. This gesture, reflecting the coach's leadership and fatherly role towards his players, helped to ease the tension for fans and observers. The player refused to remain on the bench and went directly to the locker room to receive first aid and initial medical examinations.
Match context and the impact of the result
In terms of the result, Al-Ettifaq quickly overcame their recent setbacks and secured a valuable 2-0 victory against Al-Akhdoud. This win is of paramount importance to coach Saad Al-Shehri's team, as it strengthens their position in the Roshan League standings and provides the players with a significant morale boost to continue their positive run.
The importance of the player and the challenges of the league
Ahmed Hassan Kouka is a key player for Al-Ettifaq, with the team relying heavily on him in attack thanks to his extensive experience in European and international leagues. An injury to any key player at this point in the season would be a significant blow to the team's plans, given the congested fixture schedule and the fierce competition in the Saudi league, which has become a global focus of attention.
Al-Ettifaq and Egyptian fans are awaiting the official medical examinations to determine the nature of the injury and the expected duration of absence, amid hopes that the injury will be minor and that "Koka" will quickly return to lead the team's attack in the upcoming matches.
