Tunisian Jalal Qadri, the technical director of the first football team of Al-Hazm Club, expressed his deep regret after the heavy loss that his team suffered against its counterpart Al-Qadisiyah by a score of five goals to one, in the match that brought them together on Sunday evening as part of the competitions of the sixteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
During the post-match press conference, Qadri described the result as "very harsh" on the team, especially considering the events of the first half. The Tunisian coach explained that his team played a balanced first half, showing strong character and coming very close to scoring on several occasions, but luck was not on their side with the final touch.
The turning point and defensive collapse
In analyzing the reasons for the dramatic turnaround in the second half, Al-Hazm's coach pointed out that conceding the first goal resulted from an individual error, which disrupted the team's plans. Qadri added, "After Al-Qadisiyah's first goal, the goals came in quick succession, making it difficult for us to get back into the game." This scenario reflects the mental challenges teams face when they concede early goals in crucial periods, as even a momentary lapse in concentration can lead to disastrous results, especially against teams with high-quality attacking play.
Tactical instructions and opponent strength
Qadri acknowledged the strength of Al-Qadisiyah, confirming that the coaching staff was fully aware of the opponent's considerable attacking capabilities. Accordingly, Qadri revealed his tactical instructions to player "Rosero," emphasizing the need to provide numerical superiority in the defensive areas to try and limit the threat of Al-Qadisiyah's attacks. However, the opponent's intense attacking pressure overwhelmed Al-Hazm's defensive organization in the second half.
Al-Hazm's position in the Roshan League
This loss puts Al-Hazm in a position where they need to quickly reassess their strategy to get back on track. The team's points tally remains at 16, placing them eleventh in the Roshan League standings. The upcoming matches are crucial for the team to avoid falling into the relegation zone, especially given the intense competition in the Saudi League this season, where mid-table teams are striving to secure their positions early on.
This result serves as a wake-up call for the coaching staff and players to get their act together before the upcoming rounds, as staying in the Roshan League requires patience and high concentration throughout the ninety minutes, which is what Al-Hazm lacked in the second half of the Al-Qadisiyah match.
