Saad Al-Shehri, the manager of Al-Ettifaq, expressed his deep disappointment following his team's heavy 4-0 defeat against their city rivals Al-Qadisiyah in the Saudi Professional League. Al-Shehri asserted that a poor start and a loss of focus in the opening minutes were the primary reasons behind this harsh result in the "Eastern Province Derby," a match of particular importance to both clubs' fans.
Analysis of the causes of the loss
In the post-match press conference, Al-Shehri analyzed the game, saying, “Hard luck to our team and congratulations to Al-Qadisiyah. We lost control of the match from the start. Conceding two quick goals was a direct result of our lack of focus, which put us in a very difficult position.” He added, “It was difficult to come back after such a poor start. We tried to improve our performance in the second half and reorganize, but we couldn't find the net. In fact, we conceded two more goals near the end, which sealed the victory.”.
The importance and context of the Eastern Derby
Matches between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Qadisiyah take on a special character as they represent the "Eastern Province Derby," one of the most prominent derbies in Saudi football. The historical rivalry between the two neighboring clubs stretches back decades, and their matches are a footballing spectacle eagerly anticipated by fans in the Eastern Province. The importance of the match transcends simply securing three points; it's intertwined with pride and prestige among the fans of both clubs, placing additional pressure on the players and coaching staff. This 4-0 defeat is a heavy blow for Al-Ettifaq, not only in terms of league standings but also psychologically.
The strength of the competitor and the outlook for the future
Al-Shehri didn't fail to praise Al-Qadisiyah's strength, acknowledging that facing a team with such high-quality players made the task even more difficult. He explained, "We faced a strong attacking team, boasting high-quality Saudi international players in every position, which made coming back almost impossible after conceding so early." Al-Shehri concluded on an optimistic note, emphasizing the need to put this match behind them and focus on the upcoming games: "We lost three points, and now we have to make up for it in the next matches. I always like to focus on the group we have, and I gave the players who played my full confidence. We have to work to correct our mistakes and come back stronger.".
