Romanian Marius Sumudica, the technical director of Al-Akhdoud Club, expressed his great pride in the performance of his players despite the difficult defeat by one goal to nil against Al-Ittihad Club, the title holder of the previous edition, in the match that was held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium as part of the eighteenth round of the Saudi Professional League.
Match context and the champion's challenge
In the post-match press conference, Sumudica emphasized the high technical value of the encounter, saying, “We faced the reigning Roshan Professional League champions, a team with top-level players.” He added, “I’m proud of the players’ performance against Al-Ittihad, especially since the team came very close to securing a draw and a valuable point. We managed to neutralize their attacking threat for most of the match, which reflects the great work we are doing.” This match comes within the context of a historic season for Al-Akhdoud, who are participating in the Professional League for the first time in their history. This makes every match, especially against top teams, a significant challenge and a true test of the team’s ability to compete and survive.
The importance of experience and fighting for survival
The Romanian coach emphasized that the team's primary objective is to secure their place in the top league, highlighting the fighting spirit displayed by the players. He stated, "The team will fight until the very last moment to achieve our goal of remaining in the Saudi Professional League." The significance of these remarks lies in instilling confidence in the players and fans, and underscoring that the loss against a team of Al-Ittihad's caliber will not deter the team from continuing their fight in the upcoming rounds. The resilience of newly promoted clubs like Al-Akhdoud serves as a crucial indicator of the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi League, which has garnered global attention.
Strategy of relying on the Saudi player
Sumudica highlighted a crucial point in his strategy, stating, “We faced a team with eight foreign players during the match, while I fielded seven Saudi players.” He explained, “I’m here to give Saudi players opportunities, and we will continue working in this way.” This approach reflects the club and coach’s vision of developing local talent and instilling confidence in them, aligning with the goals of the Saudi football development strategy and adding an important local dimension to the club’s ambitious project.
A message for the future and the city of Najran
Sumudica concluded his remarks with a forward-looking perspective, revealing his desire to strengthen the team during the transfer window. He stated, "I have requested the signing of Saudi players who can make a difference; the team is keen to bring in exceptional players." The coach also praised the team's environment, delivering a positive message: "Najran is a truly wonderful city," which can be seen as an open invitation for players to join the club's project, emphasizing that the atmosphere is stable and conducive to achieving success.
