Brazilian Pericles Chamusca, the head coach of Al-Taawoun's first football team, expressed his great pride in the heroic performance of his players against Al-Shabab, in the strong match that brought the two teams together as part of the fourteenth round of the Saudi Professional League, which was held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.
The group's strength overcomes the absences
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Shamouska emphasized that Al-Qassim's victory was not a fluke, but rather the result of organized teamwork and high-level tactics, especially given the difficult circumstances the team faced, namely the absence of key players. The Brazilian coach said, "We delivered a great and historic performance considering the circumstances. The strength and cohesion of the group are our most important weapons under the pressure of consecutive matches. Today's victory and reaching the same points tally as Al-Nassr is a source of pride for me and the entire team.".
Cooperation position in the Roshan League
This victory holds immense strategic importance for Al-Taawoun, as the team continues to deliver exceptional performances this season, competing with top Saudi clubs bolstered by massive international signings. Shamouska's success in maintaining an upward trajectory and challenging clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad at the top of the standings is a testament to the club's technical and administrative stability, making it the tournament's dark horse and the most tactically astute team.
Future of Mandash and Walid Al-Ahmad
Shamouska addressed the thorny issue of the winter transfer window, specifically the future of Sultan Mandash and Waleed Al-Ahmad, amid persistent rumors of their imminent departure. Shamouska explained with complete transparency: “Sultan Mandash is a fantastic player who has been performing at a high level, and negotiations are ongoing between him and the club's management. As the coaching staff, we will not stand in the way of any player who sees his best interests elsewhere.”.
Regarding international defender Waleed Al-Ahmad, he added: “Waleed possesses tremendous defensive capabilities and is a cornerstone of my squad, being a Saudi international player, which gives him high market and technical value. Should he leave, we will certainly look to replace him with new signings to ensure the team's continued strength.” These statements come at a time when Saudi football is witnessing significant activity in the transfer market, as clubs seek to bolster their ranks with the best local talent in accordance with league regulations.
The truth about Carlos Junior's negotiations
Shamouska concluded his remarks by clarifying his relationship with Al-Shabab striker Carlos Junior and the possibility of his transfer to Al-Taawoun, saying: “I was the one who brought Carlos Junior to Al-Shabab previously, and he has good feelings towards the coaching staff. However, his move to Al-Taawoun is subject to several complex criteria and calculations that depend on market conditions and the stances of other clubs.” It is worth noting that Shamouska has extensive experience in Saudi football, having previously coached Al-Faisaly and Al-Shabab before settling at Al-Taawoun, making him an expert on the capabilities of players in the league.
