Following a thrilling and nail-biting match, Al-Hilal secured a single point against Al-Taawoun in their Saudi Professional League encounter. After the match, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, spoke at the post-match press conference about the reasons for the draw, assessing his team's performance and outlining the challenges they face in the title race.
Jesus: We played to win and we missed our chances
Jesus expressed his dissatisfaction with the result, emphasizing that his team entered the match with only one goal: to win and secure the three points. He stated, “We played to win today, and we tried hard in the first half, managing to score a goal. However, we also missed several opportunities that could have ended the match early. We faced a good and well-organized team, especially in the second half when Al-Taawoun packed the midfield, which limited our chances.”.
The Portuguese coach added: “We have to admit that there are some shortcomings that we need to address. The result was not what we aspired to, but we must continue working to deliver better results in the future. The league season is still long, and Al-Hilal will remain a strong contender for the title.”.
The impact of the result on the title race in the Roshan League
This draw comes at a time when the competition for the top spot in the Saudi Professional League is heating up. The league has witnessed significant development in recent years, transforming into a destination for some of the world's biggest football stars. This development has noticeably raised the level of competition, making every match a true challenge, with no easy games anymore. Al-Hilal dropping two points in this match could give their direct rivals the opportunity to close the gap or even seize the lead, putting additional pressure on the team in the upcoming rounds to maintain their form and avoid further slip-ups.
Looking to the future and challenging absences
Jesus also addressed the challenges facing the team, noting the impact of some absences on overall performance. While he didn't mention specific names, he emphasized the importance of having all players ready for the next stage of the season. He explained that the coaching staff is constantly working to assess the players' physical condition and address any fatigue or minor injuries to ensure their swift return to action. He concluded his remarks on an optimistic note, stressing the need for improvement and correcting mistakes, saying: "We must develop and be better. We will work on that to prepare for the upcoming matches with full force.".
