Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers, manager of Al-Qadisiyah's first football team, expressed his complete dissatisfaction with the draw his team achieved against Damac. This came in the exciting match between the two teams as part of the eleventh round of the Saudi Professional League, held at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.
Details of the press conference and Rodgers' statements
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rodgers was clear in his assessment of the game, emphasizing that the ambition was to secure all three points. Rodgers said, "The result is not good for us, and a draw against Damac is not what we're aiming for at this stage. We were looking to win to improve our position in the league table.".
Despite losing two points, the veteran coach was keen to highlight the bright aspects of his players' performance, adding: "Despite the result, I found many positive things in the team. There was good defensive organization from the players, which limited the opponent's danger at many times, in addition to our great offensive performance at various points in the match. I will immediately work on correcting the mistakes that appeared to ensure that they are not repeated.".
Roshan League Challenges and the Strength of Competition
This match comes amidst an exceptional season for the Roshan Professional League, characterized by intense competition due to clubs attracting international stars and the high technical and physical level of all teams. Damac is considered one of the league's most tactically astute teams, making any point earned against them valuable, even if it doesn't satisfy the ambitions of the top teams vying for higher positions.
The Al-Qadisiyah coaching staff understands that small details decide matches at this high level of competition, as it requires mental focus throughout the ninety minutes to take advantage of available opportunities and avoid defensive lapses.
Al-Qadisiyah's ambitions and return to the forefront
Al-Qadisiyah, one of the most prestigious clubs in the Eastern Province, is a formidable force in Saudi football. The club's management and coaching staff, led by Rodgers, are striving to restore "Banu Qadis" (Al-Qadisiyah's nickname) to its rightful place among the elite of Saudi football. This is a crucial transitional phase, essential for building a team capable of competing with popular clubs and consistently accumulating points.
Rodgers concluded by emphasizing the ongoing work, saying, "We will build on these positive aspects to perform at our best in upcoming matches, and our goal is to bring joy to the Al-Qadsia fans." The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the points in a round marked by numerous tactical shifts.
