High praise precedes the Eastern Derby
In a gesture reflecting the high level of sportsmanship and mutual respect that precedes major matches, Al-Qadisiyah's Irish manager, Brendan Rodgers, offered special praise to his counterpart at Al-Ettifaq, Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri. This came during the official press conference preceding the postponed match between the two teams from the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League, setting a professional tone for the anticipated tactical battle on the pitch.
Background to the event: A technical summit in a developing league
These statements come at a time when the Saudi Professional League is experiencing a historic boom, having successfully attracted prominent international players and coaches, significantly raising the level of competition and technical quality. Brendan Rodgers, with his illustrious history in the English Premier League with prestigious clubs like Liverpool and Leicester City, is one of the most prominent coaches to have joined the Saudi sports project. Meanwhile, Saad Al-Shehri represents a model of a successful national coach, especially after his historic achievement of leading the Saudi Arabia U-23 national team to victory in the 2022 AFC U-23 Championship, earning him widespread respect in sporting circles.
Rodgers' statements: Impressed by Al-Shehri's work and confirming the difficulty of the derby
Rodgers made no secret of his admiration for Al-Shehri's performance with Al-Ettifaq, stating unequivocally, "I'm impressed with the work Saad Al-Shehri is doing with Al-Ettifaq." The Irish coach, aware of the significance of the match, added, "I know how difficult derbies are, and that's why we want to make our fans proud with our performance." These words reflect his deep understanding of local football culture and the importance of these high-profile encounters, which transcend the mere three points at stake, representing a battle for football supremacy in the Eastern Province.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
The Eastern Province derby holds immense importance for both teams. Al-Qadisiyah, currently fourth with 50 points, aims to solidify their place in the top four and compete strongly for a spot in next season's Asian Champions League. Al-Ettifaq, sitting seventh with 38 points, hopes to improve their league position and finish the season strongly, befitting their history. The match is expected to be a tactical battle between Rodgers' European-style approach, based on possession and high pressing, and Saad Al-Shehri's philosophy, which blends tactical discipline with the development of young talent. Rodgers himself alluded to this, stating that he is looking for "the right time to give young players a chance," emphasizing that quality and mentality are the primary criteria for participation.
A look at the future of competition in the league
Rodgers concluded by emphasizing the Saudi league's continued development, saying, "The league is becoming increasingly competitive, the quality is high, and the competitors are improving, which is good for football and enhances overall performance." These words encapsulate the current state of the competition, which has garnered global attention. Such encounters between top coaches contribute to raising the technical level and delivering an entertaining football experience for fans.
