Following a heated tactical battle, Al-Hilal's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, commented on his team's draw against Al-Qadisiyah at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. Despite the end of their winning streak, Jesus expressed relative satisfaction with his players' performance under challenging circumstances.
Background of the match and its competitive context
Al-Hilal enters this match at the top of the league table, having achieved a historic winning streak that has made them the clear favorites for the title. Under the leadership of coach Jesus, the team is displaying high levels of technical and physical prowess, boasting a strong attacking system and a solid defense. Meanwhile, Al-Qadisiyah has proven to be a formidable opponent, especially on their home ground and in front of their fans. They enter the match with high morale after a series of positive results, including seven consecutive victories, making them a dark horse in the competition and a genuine challenger to the league leaders.
Jesus's statements and performance analysis
In the post-match press conference, Jesus said: “Today we played an excellent match against a strong and difficult team. Al-Qadisiyah had achieved seven consecutive victories, and we are proud of our performance, especially in the second half.” The Portuguese coach added, praising his opponent: “Al-Qadisiyah is performing very well and has almost never lost at home, which shows how difficult the task will be. We missed a penalty that could have changed the course of the match, but that’s football. We have impressive statistics that benefit Al-Hilal this season, and we will continue to build on them.”.
Jesus addressed the performance of some players and the teamwork, saying: “It is not necessary for the striker to score in every match. There is a complete team effort and our ultimate goal is to win as a team. We created many opportunities today and in previous matches, and we are happy with the team’s overall performance.”.
Expected impact and future plans
Although the draw might seem like a disappointing result for Al-Hilal fans, it doesn't diminish the team's chances of winning the league, as their lead at the top remains comfortable. However, this result serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for complete focus in every match to maintain their position at the top. On the other hand, this draw represents a significant morale boost for Al-Qadisiyah, strengthening their players' confidence and confirming their ability to compete with the top teams.
Jesus concluded by hinting at the club's plans to strengthen the team during the transfer window, saying: "Regarding transfers, the Al-Hilal management is working excellently and providing full support to the team. Work is ongoing, and we will likely sign a right-back. We have players who have performed well in this position, even though it is not their primary position, and we are confident that the management will make the right decision at the right time to strengthen the team.".
