Saad Al-Shehri, the head coach of Al-Ettifaq's first football team, expressed mixed feelings after his team's thrilling victory against Al-Najma in their match in the fourteenth round of the Roshan Professional League. The match witnessed a dramatic scenario that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle, ending with a resounding victory that reflected Al-Ettifaq's attacking prowess, contrasted with some defensive lapses that nearly cost the team the match points.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Al-Shehri offered a detailed technical analysis of the game, describing it as being divided into two completely contrasting phases. He said, "Today's match was played in two distinct periods. In the first half, our team dominated, scoring four goals, which gave the impression that we had secured the result early on. However, in the second half, the tide turned, and we conceded three goals, revealing tactical and mental errors that need to be addressed.".
The esteemed national coach added that Al-Najma showed remarkable improvement after the changes made by their coaching staff, enabling them to capitalize on Al-Ettifaq's declining performance and score three consecutive goals. Al-Shehri emphasized a crucial point regarding playing style, noting that Al-Ettifaq possesses outstanding players of the highest skill level. Therefore, he stated, "Our players must maintain genuine and effective ball possession in the upcoming matches to control the tempo of the game and prevent the opponent from mounting a comeback.".
The importance of winning and the context of competition in the Roshan League
This victory comes at a crucial time in the Saudi Professional League, as mid-table and top-ranked teams strive to accumulate as many points as possible to secure top positions that qualify for continental competitions or ensure their safety from relegation. Al-Ettifaq, nicknamed "The Knights of Ad-Dahna," is one of the most historic clubs in Saudi Arabia, having been the first Saudi team to win the league title undefeated. Its fans eagerly anticipate its return to the podium or a fierce challenge from the top four.
The appointment of Saad Al-Shehri as Al-Ettifaq's coach carries significant weight, given his status as one of the most prominent Saudi coaches who has achieved remarkable success with the Saudi youth national teams. The club's management and fans are eager to see this success reflected in the first team's performance. While the 4-3 victory secured three points, it also served as a wake-up call for the coaching staff to address the defensive weaknesses. In a league boasting some of the world's best strikers, simply scoring a high number of goals cannot always compensate for defensive frailties.
Al-Shehri concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for hard work in the next stage, saying: "There must be a high focus on a number of technical matters, and the focus is not only on the defensive line, but also on the offensive system and how to kill the game. We will work hard during training to correct these mistakes so that the team appears in a manner befitting the name of Al-Ettifaq.".
