National coach Saad Al-Shehri, manager of Al-Ettifaq FC, announced the final list of foreign players he will rely on in the highly anticipated and challenging match against Al-Ahli FC, as part of the Saudi Professional League. This match comes at a crucial point in the season, as both teams seek a positive result to improve their position in the league standings.
Al-Shehri has settled on seven foreign players to represent “Faris Al-Dahna” in this important match, and the list is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Marek Rodak (Slovakia)
- Defense line: Jack Hendry (Scotland), Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica)
- Midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands), Joao Costa (Portugal)
- Forwards: Mohau Nkota (South Africa), Moussa Dembele (France)
General context and importance of the match in the Roshan League
The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is witnessing unprecedented competition this season, thanks to clubs attracting top international stars, which has raised the technical level and media attention of the competition. The match between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ahli is considered one of the classic encounters in Saudi football, as both clubs boast a rich history and a large fan base. Al-Ettifaq enters the match with the ambition to prove themselves and achieve a high ranking befitting their history, while Al-Ahli, having made a strong return to the professional league, seeks to establish itself in the top four and compete for qualification to Asian championships.
The impact of foreign professionals and their crucial role
Coach Saad Al-Shehri is heavily relying on the experience and influence of this mix of foreign players. The squad features Dutch star Georginio Wijnaldum, formerly of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, who is expected to lead the midfield thanks to his extensive European experience and ability to control the tempo of the game. Up front, French striker Moussa Dembélé represents the team's striking force, boasting an impressive goal-scoring record in major European leagues. The performance of this duo, along with the rest of the foreign players, will be a decisive factor in determining the outcome of the match, especially against a strong team like Al-Ahli, which also features a constellation of international stars. Al-Shehri hopes that this selection will contribute to a balanced and strong tactical performance that will enhance Al-Ettifaq's chances of securing all three points.
