Al-Shabab FC of Saudi Arabia announced in an official statement the medical details of four injured first-team players, just days before their highly anticipated and crucial match against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League. This announcement has placed the team's coaching staff in a difficult position, given the importance of the players who will be absent from this vital encounter.
Details of Abderrazak Hamdallah's injury and the duration of his absence
Al-Shabab fans were dealt a heavy blow after the medical report revealed the nature of Moroccan star Abderrazak Hamdallah's injury. The club explained that the prolific striker is suffering from a hamstring tear , an injury that requires an intensive treatment and rehabilitation program. The medical staff estimated Hamdallah's absence to last between six and eight weeks , meaning he will miss a significant number of the team's important upcoming matches, not just the game against Al-Ittihad.
The absence of Hamdallah is a painful blow to Al-Shabab's front line, especially since the player is considered the main pillar in the attack, and the fans were counting on him a lot to decide the "classic" against his former team, Al-Ittihad, but the injury prevented that.
Updates on Carlos Junior and Al-Hamami's rehabilitation
In a related development, the statement contained some relatively positive news, as the club indicated that Brazilian professional Carlos Junior has already begun the final stage of his rehabilitation and fitness program. This progress paves the way for his imminent return to group training, which could give the coach additional options in the near future to compensate for absences.
On the other hand, player Hammam Al-Hamami his pre-prepared rehabilitation and fitness program, while player Mubarak Al-Rajih to receive treatment inside the club’s medical clinic, after suffering a back contusion during his national participation with the Olympic team.
The importance of the match and the two teams' positions in the league
The match between Al-Shabab and Al-Ittihad is of paramount importance to both teams given their positions in the Roshan League standings this season. According to current figures before the match, Al-Shabab is suffering from a decline in results, placing them in thirteenth position with only 8 points – a position unbecoming of the capital club's prestigious history. This makes a victory crucial to escape the relegation zone and regain confidence.
Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad enters the match in seventh place with 14 points, also aiming to improve their position and close the gap with the leading teams in the title race. Historically, matches between the two sides are characterized by their competitiveness and excitement, with encounters between "Al-Shabab" and "Al-Ittihad" considered classics of Saudi football, attracting a wide audience both locally and across the Arab world.
Date of the Al-Shabab vs. Al-Ittihad match
The match is scheduled to take place at the stadium on Saturday, December 27th, with kickoff at 8:30 PM , as part of the eleventh round (11) of the Roshan Professional League. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how the Al-Shabab coach will manage these significant absences against a strong and formidable opponent like Al-Ittihad.
