Positive statements despite the defeat
Brazilian coach Oder Helmann, manager of Al-Riyadh FC, expressed his immense pride in his players' performance despite their narrow 1-0 defeat to Al-Ahli. This came during the post-match press conference following the game, which took place at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Al-Malaz) as part of the 24th round of the 2023-2024 Saudi Professional League.
Hellman said in his remarks: “I’m proud of the players; they put on a great performance against a top team with world-class stars. In football, great style or performance doesn’t matter if you can’t score and get the desired result.” Hellman added, referring to his professional background: “I started my career as a performance analyst, and this profession gave me the experience and knowledge that brought me to where I am today.”.
Background and context of the match in the league
Al-Riyadh entered the match fully aware of the daunting task ahead against one of Saudi football's giants, Al-Ahli, who had made a strong comeback to the Professional League and boasted a star-studded lineup including Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Franck Kessié. The match was played in a highly competitive atmosphere, with Al-Riyadh successfully holding firm and closing down spaces against Al-Ahli's potent attack for much of the first half. However, the only goal of the game came courtesy of an own goal by Al-Riyadh's goalkeeper, Milan Borjan.
The importance of the result and its impact on both teams
For Al-Ahli, these three points were vital to consolidating their third-place position in the Roshan League standings and distancing themselves from their closest rivals in the heated race to secure a spot in next season's AFC Champions League. The victory, even if hard-fought and by a narrow margin, represents a significant step towards achieving the club's objectives following their return to the top flight.
On the other hand, despite the bitterness of defeat, Al-Riyadh, under the leadership of Helman, is looking to extract positives from this encounter. The team, battling to avoid relegation, delivered a well-organized tactical performance that demonstrated its ability to compete with the top teams. The coach's statements aim to boost the players' morale and motivate them for the remaining matches of the season, which will be crucial finals against teams directly competing with them in the relegation zone. Conceding only a single goal against the third-placed team serves as motivation for the team to prepare better for the upcoming matches, which appear less challenging on paper.
