Portuguese coach José Gomes, manager of Al-Fateh, emphasized that "fighting spirit" and high concentration will be the decisive factors in securing victory and claiming the three points in his team's upcoming match against Damac. This important match is part of the 24th round of the Saudi Professional League and will be hosted at Al-Fateh's stadium, giving the home team extra motivation to achieve a positive result.
In statements published on his official X account, Gomez emphasized his complete respect for Damac FC, noting that they play beautiful and organized football regardless of their current position in the standings. Gomez said, “Despite being near the bottom of the table, Damac plays beautiful football. Since the match is being played at our stadium, we must be fully focused and determined to win .” These words reflect the coach’s understanding that there are no easy matches in this year’s Saudi Pro League, which is witnessing unprecedented competition.
General context and importance of the match
This match is of paramount importance to both teams as they strive to improve their standings in the Roshan League. Al-Fateh, aiming for a higher position, knows that dropping points in home matches could prove costly at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Damac, the "Knights of the South," are seeking a positive result to distance themselves from the relegation zone and secure their place in the Pro League. This season's league has witnessed a fierce battle in the mid-table, with only a few points separating several teams, making every match a mini-final.
The philosophy of recycling and confidence in youth
Gomez also defended his player rotation policy, which had raised some questions after the last match. He explained: “In the last match, we didn’t start with the regular starters due to the pressure of consecutive matches, and it’s essential that we rotate the squad to maintain the team’s fitness and avoid fatigue and injuries.”.
The Portuguese coach also defended his bold decision to rely on a number of young players in previous matches, a move some considered risky. In response, Gomes confidently stated, “If I had been afraid of the result of the previous match, I wouldn’t have fielded the young players. Yes, I might have been a bit eccentric, but I had complete faith in the team and the players I selected. I made the decision because these players needed the opportunity to participate and prove themselves .” This statement underscores Gomes’ philosophy of building a team for the future and giving confidence to emerging talents.
Regarding the participation of player Ali Al-Zubaidi, Gomez explained that his participation was completely legal after he was suspended in the Al-Hazm match, and that the technical management confirmed the legality of his participation before the start of the match.
