German coach Matthias Jäissle, manager of Al-Ahli Saudi FC, expressed his delight at securing a victory against Al-Kholoud in their match in the sixteenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This win confirms Al-Ahli's continued resurgence despite the technical difficulties the team faced during the game.
Yasle: Realism led us to victory against the defensive block
Yassle spoke candidly during the post-match press conference, emphasizing that the match was far from easy. The German coach explained that Al-Kholoud adopted a tight defensive approach and packed their backline, making it difficult to penetrate Al-Ahli's defense. Yassle said, "It was expected to be a difficult match against a team that defends so well, but in football, there are matches where you need to win and get the three points even if you're not entirely satisfied with the technical or aesthetic performance on the pitch.".
This statement reflects the tactical maturity that the team has reached, where "realism" has become a necessary feature for competing in a strong league like the Roshan League, where it is not possible to put on an exhibition performance in every round, especially against teams that are good at closing down spaces and playing on the counter-attack.
A tactical decision and a golden winning streak
In a related context, Yassle addressed questions regarding the substitution of Ryan Hamed, dispelling any rumors of injuries or disagreements. He confirmed, "The substitution of Ryan Hamed was a purely tactical decision, and there was no other reason behind it." This explanation highlights the coach's complete control over the game and his astute understanding of the match's demands.
The Al Ahli coach concluded his remarks by praising the team's positive run, saying, "It's fantastic to achieve five consecutive victories in the Roshan League." This streak is of paramount importance to Al Ahli at this point in the season, as it strengthens the team's stability and boosts the morale of both the players and the fans.
The importance of continuity in competition
This victory comes as Al-Ahli seeks to strengthen its position in the Saudi Pro League standings and keep pace with the leading teams. The five-match winning streak is a strong indicator of the team's improved performance and its ability to overcome the setbacks that can occur at the beginning of a season. In the fiercely competitive Saudi Pro League, which boasts a host of world-class players, accumulating points and maintaining a winning streak are crucial factors in determining the champion and the teams that qualify for Asian competitions. This is something coach Yassla understands well, as evidenced by his focus on results over performance.
