German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli Saudi FC, confirmed his team's readiness for their upcoming match against Al-Khaleej in the 17th round of the Saudi Professional League, scheduled for Tuesday. These statements come as Al-Ahli seeks to strengthen its position in the standings and continue its winning streak to delight its large fan base.
In the pre-match press conference, Yassle spoke candidly about the team's ambitions and the challenges they face, saying, "We will play our next match against Al-Khaleej at home in front of our fans, and we have the full desire and determination to continue collecting points and achieving victories." This statement comes amidst the fierce competition in the Saudi League this season, where the top four clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad) are vying for the top spots that qualify them for Asian championships.
The young German coach addressed the thorny issue of player transfers, noting that coaches' desires sometimes clash with the available resources. He added, "Unfortunately, it's not a matter of wishful thinking. As a coach, I certainly hope to make some signings to strengthen the squad, but we must work with the players we have and get the best out of them." This statement reflects the challenges facing coaching staff in balancing ambitions with financial or administrative constraints in the transfer market.
In a related context, Yassleh highlighted the remarkable development in the level of left-back Zakaria Hawsawi, revealing the secret behind this brilliance: "The work done with the player, preparing him perfectly both physically and technically, is the reason, and he is currently performing at a high level that benefits the team." Hawsawi is considered one of the young Saudi talents on whom much is expected, not only at Al-Ahli club, but also at the level of the Saudi national team, as his development represents an asset to Saudi football in general.
Regarding the red card problem the team has faced in the past, Yaisle explained: "There are many factors that contribute to our players receiving so many red cards, but in some cases, the cards were undeserved, in my opinion." Discipline on the field is one of the most important factors coaches focus on to ensure team stability throughout the 90 minutes, especially in crucial matches.
Yassleh concluded his remarks by explaining the absence of young striker Ricardo Matias, recently signed by Al-Ahli, saying: "The player wasn't physically ready before his arrival, and our options are very limited in terms of the number of foreign players we're allowed to register and field. I always look for the player who is fittest to participate." It's worth noting that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's regulations specify a certain number of foreign players, which constantly puts coaches in a difficult position when choosing between available players to ensure tactical balance on the field.
