Saad Al-Shehri, the manager of Al-Ettifaq, emphasized the crucial importance of the three points his team secured after their valuable 2-0 victory over Damac in their match at Damac Stadium in Khamis Mushait, as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League. Al-Shehri noted that the match was far from easy, praising his players' fighting spirit and their ability to clinch the win.
General context of the match in the Roshan League
This victory comes at a crucial juncture in the 2023-2024 Saudi football season, which is witnessing unprecedented competition thanks to the influx of elite international football stars. Al-Ettifaq, under the leadership of English coach Steven Gerrard and with the assistance of his coaching staff, which includes Al-Shehri, is striving to improve its position in the league standings and return to winning ways to compete for a top spot befitting the club's history and the ambitions of its fans. The win against Damac, who have been performing well this season, represents a significant morale boost and strengthens the stability of both the technical and administrative staff.
Al-Shehri's statements and match analysis
In the post-match press conference, Al-Shehri stated, “It was an extremely difficult match, but we managed to win and secure three important points. Damac has changed significantly after their winter signings.” He added, “We successfully countered Damac’s style of play and closed down the spaces throughout the match,” indicating that the team’s performance will improve and that their winning streak continues to develop over time.
Al-Shehri explained that the team's goal is to win every match, acknowledging the difficulty of the upcoming fixtures. He said, "Our goal is to win and for Al-Ettifaq to reach a position befitting the club and its fans." He also pointed to the fatigue the players suffered, saying, "Damac is a good team with top-level players, and the match was difficult for us as well. We played two days ago, which exhausted the players, and we have more time to prepare for the Al-Hilal match.".
Special praise for striker “Koka”
Regarding the performance of Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan "Koka," who failed to score in the match, Al-Shehri defended him, saying, "Ahmed Hassan Koka hasn't played with us for a long time, and this is one of the reasons he didn't score today." He continued, praising him: "He played a good match and helped the team, and with more matches in the coming period, he will perform even better. He is a great player and needs no introduction." Al-Ettifaq fans have high hopes for Koka to be the team's effective attacking solution in upcoming matches.
Expected impact of winning
This victory is crucial for Al-Ettifaq, as it boosts their points tally and solidifies their position in the comfortable mid-table standings, while also giving them the ambition to climb towards the Asian Champions League qualification spots. The win also significantly increases the team's confidence ahead of their anticipated and challenging match against league leaders Al-Hilal, leading to more positive and focused preparations for that game.
