Al-Khaleej's Greek coach, Giorgos Donis, expressed his shock and deep bewilderment following his team's unexpected 3-2 defeat to Al-Kholoud in a rescheduled match from the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. Donis described the loss as "painful," stating in the post-match press conference that he could find no clear explanation for the defeat, while simultaneously refusing to place blame on any specific party.
The context of the match and the team's inconsistent performance
This loss comes at a critical time for Al-Khaleej FC, based in Saihat. The team had a remarkable start to the 2023-2024 season, delivering high-level performances that earned them the respect and admiration of all followers of the Roshan League, which has become a global attraction thanks to its draw of international stars. Donis alluded to this strong start, saying, "We began the season exceptionally well, earning everyone's respect," but he added with evident concern, "However, the team's performance has noticeably declined in the last seven matches, and I fear this decline will continue.".
Donis's statements and analysis of the reasons
The Greek coach, who has previous experience in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, explained that his players were capable of a much better performance than they displayed in the match. He attributed the main reason for the loss to a lack of focus, which he considered painful and frustrating as a coach. He said, "Our players could have performed better, but they lost focus, and this hurts me." These statements reflect a sense of frustration within the club, where the team seems to be suffering from inconsistent mental and technical levels, affecting its ability to consistently achieve positive results.
The importance of the result and its impact on the league standings
Domestically, this unexpected defeat leaves Al-Khaleej stuck on 27 points, languishing in ninth place in the Roshan League standings. This setback puts the team in a difficult position, distancing them from contention for the top spots and increasing the pressure on the players and coaching staff in the remaining rounds of the season. Given the fierce competition in the league this season, dropping three points at home against a team in the same position is a significant blow to the club's ambitions of finishing in the top half of the table. Donis and his team will have to work hard to rectify their mistakes and regain confidence before it's too late.
