The Brazilian coach of Al-Taawoun, Pericles Chamusca, revealed the technical and medical details that prompted him to make the decision to substitute the team’s star, Mohammed Al-Kwikbi, during the strong match that brought his team together with its counterpart Al-Ittihad, which ended with the latter winning by a clean goal in the competitions of the thirteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
Details of Al-Kwikbi's injury and the precautionary decision
In the post-match press conference, Chamusca explained that Al-Kwikbi's substitution was not purely for technical reasons, but rather a necessary and precautionary measure. The Brazilian coach indicated that the player felt pain and fatigue in his adductor muscle, an injury that requires careful handling to avoid further aggravation.
Shamouska stressed that the competitive conditions of the match did not allow for the risk of the player continuing, as the technical staff preferred to withdraw him from the field to protect him from suffering a severe muscle injury that could keep him out of the fields for a long time, stressing that maintaining the safety of the players is a top priority for the technical staff to ensure their continuity throughout the season.
Angelo and Mustafa Sembini's stance
In a related context, the Al-Taawon coach addressed the absence of player Angelo from the match squad, explaining that the decision was made to give the player more time for physical and technical preparation so that he can perform better in the upcoming matches, reflecting the coach’s strategy of not including any player unless he is fully prepared.
Shamouska also praised the improved level of young player Mustafa Sembini, who participated in the match, describing him as a young player who is maturing day by day within the group, and confirming his confidence in the abilities of the young players to provide technical support to the team.
Impact of the result on the Roshan League standings
These statements come at a time of fierce competition among the top clubs in the Saudi Professional League. Al-Taawoun's loss to Al-Ittihad has cast a shadow over the standings, leaving the "Sugar Boys" with 28 points and in third place.
This event is particularly significant given Al-Taawoun's impressive performances this season under Shamouska's leadership. The team is a fierce competitor for Asian Champions League qualification spots. The narrow points difference between them and second-placed Al-Hilal (just one point at the time of the match) underscores the intensity of the competition this season, making it crucial for the team to maintain the fitness of key players like Al-Kwikbi in the upcoming rounds.
