Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri, manager of Al-Shabab FC, expressed mixed feelings after his team's 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh FC in their postponed match from the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. Despite securing the valuable three points, the veteran coach did not hide his dissatisfaction with the team's performance, indicating that his ambitions and expectations for the team extend beyond simply winning.
In the post-match press conference, Ben Zekri said: “Praise be to God for my second win with Al Shabab and for securing the three points. We prepared well for the match, and our goal was clear: to win and take all three points.” He added, explaining the details of the match: “The first half was good for us, and we could have scored more goals during the game.”.
General context and team challenges
This victory comes at a crucial time for Al-Shabab, who had been experiencing a period of instability before Ben Zekri's return to the helm for the second time in his career with the "White Lions." The team had suffered from fluctuating results, which had distanced them from the top positions they were accustomed to competing for. Ben Zekri addressed this point, saying, "The team was suffering from a technical problem due to the frequent changes in coaching staff, and this is something that always happens." He confirmed that this wasn't his first stint with the club, but he believes the team is developing rapidly under his current leadership, adding, "I'm not entirely satisfied yet; the team is capable of more than what we've shown, and we have many more things to accomplish in the coming period.".
Match pressure and thinking about the future
One of the reasons that prompted Ben Zekri to manage the match cautiously in the second half was the congested fixture schedule. He explained: “We practically finished the game in the second half, and we thought about resting the players due to the heavy schedule. The team will play seven matches in one month, and rotation was necessary.” This pragmatic approach reflects the coach’s vision not only for the current match but for the season as a whole, and his desire to maintain his players’ physical readiness for the upcoming matches, which are becoming increasingly difficult in the Roshan League, which is witnessing unprecedented competition this season with a constellation of international stars.
The importance of winning and looking forward to facing Al-Hilal
Domestically, this victory gives Al-Shabab a significant morale boost and helps them climb the standings, moving away from the relegation zone, which is unbecoming of the club's history. Regionally, every win in the Roshan League receives widespread attention and enhances the team's image amidst the global interest in Saudi football.
When asked about the highly anticipated match against league leaders Al-Hilal, Ben Zekri concluded his remarks with a calculated tone of defiance: “There’s a time and place for everything, and the match is still far off. We will prepare for it thoroughly in the coming period.” This statement puts an end to early speculation and underscores the importance of preparing for each match individually, while acknowledging the value and significance of the upcoming Riyadh derby.
