Match details and Conceição's stern warning
Al-Ittihad's first-team football coach, Conceição, expressed his strong displeasure with the red card shown to professional player Moussa Diaby during the match against Al-Hazm. This match was part of the 27th round of the Saudi Professional League and was held at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah. Although Al-Ittihad won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal by Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, the coach did not hide his concern about the course of the game. During the post-match press conference, Conceição delivered a clear message to his players, saying: "I don't want us to play with a numerical disadvantage in the upcoming matches. In some matches, we are lucky to come away with a positive result and secure the three points despite the red card, but we can't always be so lucky.".
The influence of myths in supporting the journey of “Al-Ittihad”
In a related context, the coach addressed the psychological and moral support the team receives during this crucial stage of the season. Conceição praised the significant role played by the club's golden generation stars, noting that the presence of legend Mohammed Noor and his teammate, the iconic defender Hamad Al-Montashari, has provided the players with a tremendous morale boost. These figures are considered pillars of Al-Ittihad's history, having contributed to the club's glory days, particularly in winning the AFC Champions League titles in 2004 and 2005. The coach emphasized that seeing these legends supporting the club from the stands and in the locker room creates a positive environment and motivates everyone to give their all to overcome obstacles.
Continental ambitions: The Asian Champions League is the goal
On the regional and international level, Conceição refused to revisit the failures or challenges of last season, emphasizing that that chapter is completely closed and that the focus is entirely on the future. He explained that the club faces major challenges that require everyone's cooperation, most notably participation in the new format of the AFC Champions League, which represents the ultimate goal for the management, coaching staff, and players. This tournament is of paramount importance as it brings together the elite clubs of Asia, reflecting the significant development of Saudi sports within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The coach addressed a special message to Al-Ittihad's vast fan base, urging them to continue supporting the team and standing behind it as they always have, so that they can achieve victories and celebrate continental and domestic titles together.
A bright future depends on young talent
Conceição concluded his remarks by reassuring Al-Ittihad fans, emphasizing that the club possesses a solid foundation of young talent across its youth ranks. He indicated that these talents will be the primary source of support for the first team in the coming years, ensuring sustained competitiveness for championships and reducing reliance solely on external recruitment. This strategic approach aligns with modern football standards and confirms that Al-Ittihad is on the right track to building a strong team capable of dominating both domestically and in Asia for many years to come.
