Al-Ettifaq's technical director, Saad Al-Shehri, confirmed that the valuable victory achieved by his team against Al-Taawon with a score of 1-0 in the twentieth round of the Saudi Roshan League was a direct result of the intensive work carried out by the technical staff and players to correct the course after the harsh defeat against Al-Ahli.
In the post-match press conference, Al-Shehri explained that the rest period following the 4-0 defeat to Al-Ahli was “extremely beneficial,” giving the team a chance to catch their breath and reassess their performance. He said, “We used the time to analyze the mistakes we made, both defensively and offensively, and worked hard to address them during training. What we saw today against Al-Taawoun is the fruit of this effort.”.
The context of victory and its importance
This victory comes at a crucial time for Al-Ettifaq, who are striving to improve their position in the Roshan League standings, which have witnessed fierce and unprecedented competition this season. The heavy defeat against Al-Ahli had raised some concerns among the fans, but the team managed to deliver a strong response against Al-Taawoun, one of the league's most organized and challenging teams. This win not only gives Al-Ettifaq three valuable points but also restores the team's confidence and boosts their morale to continue their campaign strongly.
Confidence in youth and a vision for the future
Al-Shehri didn't forget to praise the young players on his team, describing them as "distinguished players" who represent the future of the club. He added, "I have full confidence in the squad, and every player has an important role. The youngsters are gaining experience match after match, and this victory will give them extra motivation to develop." Saad Al-Shehri is known for his ability to develop young talent, a quality that was evident during his successful tenure with the Saudi Olympic team, and it seems he is continuing to apply the same philosophy with Al-Faisaly.
Al-Shehri concluded by emphasizing the importance of consistency, stressing that “the journey is still long, and what’s most important for us is to continue working hard and correcting our mistakes as they happen. Our goal is to develop as a team and achieve the best possible position at the end of the season.” With this victory, Al-Ettifaq sends a strong message to its rivals about its ability to overcome setbacks and return strongly to the competition.
