In a move reflecting the coaching staff's desire to secure all three points, Greek coach Giorgos Donis, manager of Al-Khaleej, announced the official lineup for today's highly anticipated match against Al-Najma. The starting eleven held a pleasant surprise for Al-Khaleej fans, as it included the influential Greek duo Kostas Fortounis and his compatriot Dimitrios Kourbelis (Dimitrios), both of whom have fully recovered from their recent injuries.
The spirit returns to the heart of the Gulf Square
The decision to field the Greek duo came after they demonstrated high levels of physical and technical readiness during Thursday evening's final training session. The return of Kostas and Dimitrios is considered a tremendous morale and tactical boost for coach Donis's squad, given their significant influence in midfield and their ability to control the tempo of the game and create opportunities for the strikers – something the team sorely missed during their absence.
Details of Al-Khaleej's lineup for the Al-Najma match
Donis settled on the following names to start the match, relying on a mix of experience and foreign professionals:
- Goalkeeper: Masouras.
- Defense line: Pedro Rebocho, Shenkfield, Abdullah Al-Hafiz, Hamsal.
- Midfield: Dimitrios, Majed Kanabeh, Kostas Fortounis.
- Attack line: Saleh Al-Amri, Morris, Joshua King.
The importance of the match and the two teams' standings in the Roshan League
This match holds particular importance for Al-Khaleej, who are looking to solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Khaleej enter the match in ninth place with 14 points, hoping to capitalize on home advantage and their superior technical abilities to climb the standings and compete for a top spot.
In contrast, Al-Najma team is in an unenviable situation, as it is in last place in the standings with only one point, which makes the match a lifeline for them to try to rectify the situation before it is too late, which may make the match characterized by competitiveness and defensive caution on the part of the visitors.
General context of the competition
This match is part of the 13th round of the current Saudi Professional League season, a crucial stage where teams begin accumulating points to determine their seasonal goals, whether competing for the title, securing Asian Champions League spots, or avoiding relegation. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 PM this Friday, with Al-Najma visiting as a formidable opponent, aiming to cause an upset, while Al-Khaleej seeks to reaffirm its technical superiority.
