In statements following the match between Al-Fateh and Al-Fayha in the Saudi Roshan League, Al-Fateh's Portuguese coach, Jose Gomes, attributed his team's loss to circumstances beyond the players' control, noting that the numerical disadvantage had a decisive impact on the course of the match.
Details of the press conference and Gomez's statements
Gomez explained during the press conference that his team controlled the match and delivered a good tactical performance, saying, “We knew Al-Fayha’s strength both offensively and defensively, and we prepared the team perfectly for the match. We were completely in control.” He added that the turning point was when one of his players went off for treatment, and the referee delayed allowing a substitution, creating a numerical disadvantage that Al-Fayha cleverly exploited. He emphasized, “We played with one less player, and this affected us because he went off for treatment. He was the player tasked with marking Al-Fayha’s dangerous player, Fashion Sakala, and Al-Fayha’s goal came during this period, making it difficult for us to get back into the game.”.
The general context of the match and its importance
This match comes as both teams seek to improve their position in the Roshan League standings, which are witnessing fierce competition in the middle of the table. Prior to this encounter, Al-Fateh was enjoying a remarkable run, maintaining an unbeaten record in six consecutive matches, which had given them a significant morale boost. However, this 2-0 defeat halted their positive streak and left them with 21 points in tenth place, placing additional pressure on the team to avoid slipping further down the standings.
Psychological impact and historical record of confrontations
In response to a question from Al-Midan Al-Riyadi about whether psychological factors had affected the players, especially given that Al-Fateh's last victory against Al-Fayha was in 2020, Gomez categorically denied this. He replied, "There is no psychological impact, and the players are unaware of this. We didn't deserve to lose today based on our performance." With this statement, the Portuguese coach attempted to shield his players from pressure and dispel any notion of a historical jinx, emphasizing that on-field performance is the sole measure of success.
Future outlook and upcoming challenges
Gomez concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of the upcoming stage, stressing the team's urgent need to secure more points. He said, "We need to accumulate more points in the coming period to better secure the team's position in the league standings." This loss serves as a wake-up call for Al-Fateh, who will strive to quickly get back on track in the upcoming rounds to maintain their comfortable mid-table position and avoid the relegation zone.
