The technical staff of the first football team at Al-Khaleej Club are experiencing a state of technical alert and increasing anxiety before their anticipated match in the Saudi Professional League, after the curse of injuries struck the team’s main pillars at a very sensitive time in the competition, which imposes difficult tactical challenges on the coach.
Informed sources told Al-Midan that recent medical examinations and physical tests have settled the debate surrounding the participation of three of the team's key players. The absence of stalwart defender Murad Hawsawi has been confirmed, along with the influential Greek duo Kostas Fortounis and Dimitrios Kourbelis. This trio failed to reach full fitness and recover from the various injuries they sustained during training and previous matches, making their participation in the upcoming game impossible.
The impact of these absences on tactical balance
is particularly significant given the technical value of the missing players. The Greek duo, Kostas and Dimitrios, are key pillars of coach Giorgos Donis's plans. Dimitrios is a major force in midfield, linking the lines, while Kostas is a crucial element in attacking solutions and playmaking. Their combined absence, coupled with the absence of Hawsawi in defense, means Al-Khaleej will be missing its backbone in this match, necessitating a radical change in the tactical formation.
In the context of the Roshan League competition,
this crisis comes at a time when Al-Khaleej Club is striving to secure its place in the safe zone of the league standings. This season's Roshan League is witnessing unprecedented competition with the presence of a host of international stars. Matches against direct rivals (like the upcoming encounter) are considered "six-point matches," as any slip-up could result in a significant drop in the standings, especially given the close points gap among the mid-table clubs.
on
finding suitable replacements from the bench to compensate for this shortage of players, both in terms of numbers and quality. It is expected that Donis will rely on experienced local players and young talents to fill the gaps, in an attempt to achieve a positive result despite the adverse circumstances. The next few hours will be crucial in determining the final lineup, as Al-Dana fans hope the team can overcome this obstacle and continue delivering the strong performances that characterized the team earlier in the season.
