Romanian coach Martin Sumudica, manager of Al-Akhdoud FC, expressed his deep disappointment after his team's 1-0 loss to Al-Taawoun at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah, in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The Romanian coach attributed the defeat to bad luck, asserting that the scoreline did not reflect the flow of the game.
In the post-match press conference, Samudica expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s unfair to lose today. We missed a penalty and had 18 clear-cut chances to score. In the first half, Al-Taawoun didn’t even get a shot on target, yet they still managed to score.” He added, “After the changes we made, our performance improved in the second half, and Al-Taawoun managed to launch some attacks, but if we had converted any of the numerous opportunities we had, the situation would have been completely different. But that’s football, and Al-Taawoun has a bit of luck.”
Background of the match and its impact on the league standings
This match comes amidst an exceptional season in the Saudi Professional League, characterized by high competition and the presence of international stars, making every point crucial. For Al-Taawoun, known for their consistent performances in recent years, this victory strengthens their position in the top four and brings them one step closer to achieving their goal of participating in Asian competitions next season. The only goal of the match was scored by Mohammed Al-Qahtani, securing three valuable points for his team.
On the other hand, this defeat adds to the woes of Al-Akhdoud, the newly promoted Saudi Pro League club. The Najran-based team finds itself in a fierce battle to avoid relegation. This loss marks their second consecutive defeat, following their 2-1 loss to Al-Ittihad in the previous round, placing increasing pressure on the team and coaching staff, led by Samudica, to get back on track in the upcoming matches and secure the points needed to guarantee their place in the top flight.
