Greek coach Giorgos Donis, manager of Al-Khaleej FC's first team, expressed his immense satisfaction with his team's valuable victory over Damac in the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. Donis emphasized that this win was more than just three fleeting points; it came at a crucial time, restoring balance to the team after the international break, a period that often presents a challenge for coaching staff in maintaining match rhythm and the players' mental and physical fitness.
Speaking to the media, the experienced Saudi football coach explained that the team had faced difficult periods in recent rounds, suffering losses against strong teams like Al-Hilal and Al-Fateh, which put additional pressure on the players to return to winning ways. Donis said, "This victory is important for several strategic and psychological reasons, most notably because it's our first since returning from the break. We performed well against a tough opponent like Damac and managed to convert our chances into goals. However, there are still some fine technical details that need correction and intensive work to achieve a more complete performance in the upcoming matches.".
Donis spoke bitterly about the absence of rising star midfielder Murad Hawsawi, who suffered an injury while representing the Saudi national team in the Arab Cup. The Greek coach praised the young player's potential, describing him as a rare talent that is difficult to replace at present. He added: "Murad Hawsawi cannot be compared to any other player in his position right now; he possesses excellent technical ability and physical attributes that qualify him for a very promising future in Saudi football. We missed his services in training, and he only joined us three days before the match. His future requires special attention from the management, who are well aware of his value.".
This victory takes on added significance given the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League this season, where mid-table teams are striving to secure their positions and avoid relegation early on. Donis is known for his extensive experience in Saudi football, having previously coached major clubs, making him acutely aware of the importance of accumulating points at this stage of the league to ensure the technical and administrative stability of his team.
In conclusion, this victory represents a huge morale boost for the Gulf team before preparing for the upcoming rounds, as the technical staff hopes to build on this positive result to improve the team’s position in the overall standings, and to take advantage of the players’ high morale to deliver performances worthy of the ambitions of the Saihat fans.
