Romanian coach Marius Samudica, the technical director of Al-Akhdoud Club, made fiery and unprecedented statements against his team’s players, following the loss to Al-Hazm Club by a score of two goals to one, in the match that brought the two teams together at Al-Hazm Club Stadium in Al-Rass, as part of the competitions of the twenty-second round of the Saudi Professional League.
In the post-match press conference, Samudica made no secret of his anger and frustration with the team's performance, stating sharply, "We didn't deserve anything today. We didn't play at all. Anyone who watched the game would have seen that my team, not the opponent, has 21 points." He added that what happened was "completely unacceptable, and we have to work hard to improve the team's situation.".
Direct accusations of playing for money
The Romanian coach's criticism didn't stop at the technical aspects of the game; he went so far as to directly accuse the players of lacking motivation and loyalty to the club. Samudica continued, saying, "I am extremely disappointed with this loss. I want to emphasize to the players that they are playing only for the money, not for the team. This is completely unacceptable, and I will address this situation in every way possible.".
The context of the match and its importance in the relegation battle
This defeat further complicates matters for Al-Akhdoud, newly promoted to the professional league for the first time in its history. The match was a crucial six-pointer in the relegation battle, as both teams languish near the bottom of the table. A win would have given Al-Akhdoud a significant morale boost and distanced them from the danger zone, but the loss to a direct rival like Al-Hazm, who secured a vital victory that revived their survival hopes, has intensified the pressure on the team from Najran.
The impact of the statements on the team's future
Samudica's statements, given his strong personality and controversial remarks during his coaching career in Saudi Arabia with clubs like Al-Shabab and Al-Raed, have sent shockwaves through the Al-Akhdoud dressing room. The most pressing question remains how the players and club management will react to this public attack. These words could either serve as a positive shock, motivating the players to perform better in the remaining crucial matches, or they could create a deep and irreparable rift between the coach and the players, potentially hastening the end of the team's journey in the top flight.
With this result, Al-Hazm raised its points tally, trying to cling to its chances of staying, while Al-Akhdoud's tally froze, entering into complex calculations in the coming weeks of the Saudi League, which is witnessing fierce competition at all levels this season thanks to the large international recruitments that have increased its momentum and international interest.
