Al-Ittihad's first football team concluded their short training camp in Dubai, UAE, with a resounding and well-deserved 5-0 victory over Gulf United (a first-division club) in a friendly match played Sunday morning. This match served as a final rehearsal for Al-Ittihad before their return to official competitions.
Details of Al-Ittihad's five-goal haul and the brilliance of the stars
The match saw Al-Ittihad completely dominate possession, securing an early lead in the first half thanks to their potent attack. Veteran French captain Karim Benzema the scoring in the 16th minute, signaling Al-Ittihad's attacking intentions. His compatriot, winger Moussa Diaby , quickly followed up with a second goal in the 25th minute, highlighting the excellent understanding between the French duo in attack.
Al-Ittihad continued their attacking pressure, with the outstanding full-back Muhannad Al-Shanqiti scoring the third goal in the 33rd minute, before Benzema returned to the net again, scoring his second personal goal and the fourth for his team in the 38th minute. Two minutes before the end of the first half, the young player Ahmed Al-Ghamdi the series of goals by scoring the fifth goal in the 43rd minute, practically ending the match in the first half.
The importance of the Dubai camp and the international break
This friendly match and training camp in Dubai are of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad's coaching staff, as they take advantage of the current international break (FIFA days). Through these matches, the coaching staff aims to maintain the fitness of non-international players, increase cohesion between new and established players, and correct technical errors that surfaced in previous rounds of the Saudi Professional League.
The international break presents a golden opportunity for major clubs to regroup, especially as Al-Ittihad strongly aspires to compete for the league title this season and reclaim its status as champion, amidst fierce competition from Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli. Today's resounding victory reflects the technical and mental readiness of the available players and their desire to deliver strong performances when the league resumes.
Significant absences and preparations for the next stage
The match was played without Algerian star Houssem Aouar , who is on international duty with his national team as they prepare for upcoming continental competitions. Aouar is a key player in Al-Ittihad's midfield, and fans eagerly await his return in top form to rejoin his teammates.
The Al-Ittihad delegation is expected to return to Jeddah to begin the final stage of preparations for the next official league match, as fans of the club hope that this strong performance in friendlies will be reflected in the team's results in the crucial official matches.
