Spanish coach Michel, manager of Al-Qadisiyah FC, expressed his complete satisfaction and immense happiness with his team's victory over Al-Khaleej FC in their match at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, part of the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. Michel emphasized that this win represents a significant step in the team's ambitious journey this season.
Michel's statements and his vision for the team's future
In the post-match press conference, Michel said: “I am very happy with this victory, the eighth for the team since I took over. We faced a distinguished and well-organized team, Al Khaleej, which has high-level players and remarkable attacking capabilities, so coming away with the three points gives us a great morale boost. I am satisfied and happy with what the players presented today.”.
The Spanish coach added, praising the mental and physical resilience of his players: “Despite the pressure of the matches and playing every three days, our technical level has not declined significantly; rather, we are progressing steadily. The team is showing great maturity, and now we are only one point away from third place and close to the top of the standings, which is fantastic and reflects the amount of work we are doing.”.
Regarding the absence of Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels, Michel explained: “Castels was suffering from a minor injury, and I didn’t want to risk playing him. We tried to get him ready until the last minute before the match, but the situation wasn’t entirely reassuring, so I preferred to give him some rest. I expect him to return soon. On the other hand, goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Kassar performed well today and kept a clean sheet, which proves that we have a complete group of players.”.
Al-Qadisiyah: An ambitious project in the Roshan League
This victory further solidifies Al-Qadisiyah's position as one of the most ambitious sporting projects in Saudi Arabia. Since returning to the Saudi Professional League this season, the club, backed by Aramco, has demonstrated clear intentions to compete for top positions, not just avoid relegation. This was reflected in the high-profile signings made during the summer transfer window, bringing in international stars such as Spanish defender Nacho Fernandez and goalkeeper Koen Castilles, all under the guidance of experienced coach Michel, who boasts a rich coaching career in Europe.
The impact of winning on the competition map
Domestically, Al-Qadisiyah's victory has ignited the competition in the Roshan League's top four, putting significant pressure on the traditional powerhouses. The ability of a newly promoted team to challenge the established giants and close the gap at the top raises the level of competition and excitement in the league, serving the Saudi League's ambition to become one of the strongest leagues globally. This success is not merely about accumulating points; it sends a clear message that the power structure in Saudi football is undergoing exciting new developments.
