The last round of the Saudi Professional League witnessed dramatic events that cast a shadow over the Kingdom's sporting scene, particularly following the conclusion of the top match between Al-Ahli and Al-Taawoun, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Qassim-based team. The result itself wasn't the only significant event; it also sparked widespread anger within Al-Taawoun's management and coaching staff, who pointed the finger at the refereeing decisions, which they considered the direct cause of the match's outcome.
Shamouska's anger and fiery statement against the refereeing
In the immediate aftermath, Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca lost his temper during the press conference, unleashing his anger with strong statements reflecting the team's deep frustration. Chamusca said, "It's become normal with these refereeing disasters. This is the second match stolen from us against lower-league clubs, and the game must be respected." The experienced coach, who spent eight years in Saudi Arabia, added, calling on the Saudi Football Federation to intervene urgently to protect the fairness of the competition.
The matter didn't stop at verbal statements; Al-Taawoun's management issued an official press release detailing the errors the team suffered, specifically mentioning the matches against Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli. The management confirmed that they had previously contacted the referees' committee, supporting their position with evidence and proof. The statement included a phrase summarizing the club's plight: "Al-Taawoun succeeded in competing with money and international stars on the field, but the team was let down each time by the referees." The statement emphasized that the cost of bringing in foreign referees burdens the budgets of mid-sized clubs compared to the major, popular clubs.
The standard-bearer of Al-Qassim is competing with the big names
Despite these setbacks and refereeing controversies, Al-Taawoun continues to deliver an exceptional season by all accounts. Reaching the fifteenth round, the "Pride of Qassim" remains a formidable force in the league, occupying second place with 31 points, competing with Saudi football giants like Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli, who are tied on points, and even ahead on goal difference in some calculations. This strong performance serves as a practical on-field response to all the skeptics who wagered that the team's brilliance was merely a temporary fluke.
Statistics indicate that Al-Taawon has achieved 10 victories, equaling Al-Nasr Club, and only the leader, Al-Hilal Club, surpasses it in the number of wins, which reflects the high technical quality and administrative stability that the club enjoys.
Overcoming injuries and the brilliance of duos
What makes Al-Taawoun's achievement even more remarkable is the difficult circumstances the team faced, specifically the injury curse that plagued its ranks. The team played nearly eight rounds without key players, most notably Musa Barrow, in addition to the absence of Roman Pfeiffer before the end of his contract, and various injuries to other essential players like Waleed Al-Ahmad and Mutaib Al-Mufarrij.
Despite these absences, a remarkable attacking duo emerged to compensate for the missing players: Colombian striker Roger Martinez and Frenchman Angelo Flogni. This pair displayed exceptional synergy, contributing to 20 goals for the team so far; Martinez has scored 9 goals and provided 2 assists, while Flogni has scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists, making them one of the most dangerous partnerships in the league.
A look towards the future and the winter transfer window
With the first round drawing to a close, and crucial matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Hazm remaining, the eyes of Al-Sadd fans are turning to the winter transfer window. The fans are placing high hopes on the club's management, led by Mr. Bader Al-Ghannam, to bolster the squad with distinguished players, especially after the departure of Pfeiffer and the sale of Sultan Mandash's contract to Al-Hilal. This is crucial to ensure the team remains competitive and secures an Asian Champions League spot befitting the club's stature.
