The Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Referees Committee has put an end to the controversy surrounding the refereeing team that will officiate the 13th round summit of the Roshan Professional League, which will bring together the two poles of Saudi football, Al-Ahli Club and its counterpart Al-Nasr Club, in a fiery encounter awaited by football fans inside and outside the Kingdom.
A Bosnian whistle sets the rhythm for El Clásico
In a move reflecting the importance and sensitivity of the match, the Referees Committee decided to assign the task of officiating the Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nasr match to Bosnian international referee Irfan Peleto . This decision came in response to official requests submitted by both clubs' administrations in the past few hours, which stressed the necessity of bringing in an elite foreign refereeing team to ensure the match is conducted with the highest levels of fairness and integrity, given the intense rivalry between the two teams and each team's desire to secure the three points.
The situation of both teams before the anticipated match
Al-Ahli enters this match with high morale and great confidence after successfully returning to winning ways in the last round. The Jeddah-based team secured a valuable and well-deserved 2-0 victory over Al-Fayha at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah (The Shining Jewel). German coach Matthias Jäissle aims to capitalize on this resurgence to continue their climb up the standings and close the gap with the league leaders.
On the other hand, Al-Nassr (the Global Club) is facing a challenge and a desire to make amends after being held to its first draw of the season against Al-Ettifaq. The match, played at the Etoile du Sahel Stadium, ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, costing the team two valuable points in the title race. Al-Nassr, led by its international stars, is eager to quickly return to winning ways and appease its fans through the upcoming derby.
The importance of the match and its impact on the league
The importance of this match extends far beyond just three points in the league race; it encompasses profound historical and competitive dimensions. The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr derby is one of the most prestigious rivalries in Saudi football history, attracting massive fan support and extensive media coverage both locally and regionally. This match comes at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a remarkable surge in quality and attracting some of the world's top stars, drawing global attention to the Al-Inma Stadium for this footballing spectacle.
The result of this match will play a pivotal role in reshaping the league competition. An Al-Ahli victory would solidify their position in the top four and increase the pressure on the leading teams, while a win for Al-Nasr would mean continuing their fierce pursuit of the title and overcoming their recent draw. The match is expected to be a highly tactical battle between the two coaches and a display of skill on the pitch by a selection of the best professional and local players.
