Carrasco explains why Hamdallah was denied a penalty kick after Al-Shabab's hat-trick
On a remarkable football night in the Saudi Professional League, Belgian star Yannick Carrasco led his team Al Shabab to a valuable and well-deserved 3-1 victory over Al Riyadh, in the match that brought the two teams together at the SH Arena in the capital, Riyadh, as part of the postponed tenth round.
Carrasco: The youth's interest comes first
The Lions' captain not only scored a hat-trick to secure the victory, but also displayed a strong leadership presence on the pitch. In post-match media interviews, Carrasco revealed details of the conversation he had with his Moroccan teammate, striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, regarding taking the penalty kick. The Belgian star explained with complete transparency that he intervened to prevent Hamdallah from taking the shot, confirming: "Yes, I was the one who stopped Hamdallah from taking the penalty kick because I am the team's designated penalty taker according to the tactical instructions.".
Carrasco added, reflecting his high level of professionalism: "I completely understand that the reaction might not be ideal in such situations; every striker wants to score, but we must prioritize the team's interests above all else." This statement underscores the tactical discipline and hierarchy imposed by the coaching staff to ensure team stability and achieve positive results.
Match details and the captain's brilliance
Technically, Al-Shabab dominated the match thanks to the movements of Carrasco, who opened the scoring early in the 7th minute, before adding a second goal in the 24th minute. The Belgian star continued his brilliance in the second half, completing his hat-trick in the 71st minute, confirming his status as one of the league's standout players this season. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh's consolation goal came from Antunes in the final minutes of the match, specifically in the 87th minute.
The two teams' positions in the standings
This victory is of paramount importance to Al-Shabab, as it raised their points tally to 25, improving their position in the standings to twelfth place. This puts them a significant step away from the relegation zone and allows them to attempt a return to the competition for a top-four finish. On the other hand, this loss compounded Al-Riyadh's woes, leaving them stuck on 16 points and languishing in fifteenth place. This puts the team under considerable pressure in the upcoming rounds to avoid relegation.
This encounter reflects the intense competitiveness of the Saudi Professional League, where experience and leadership on the field play a crucial role in tipping the scales in favor of the big teams, which Carrasco embodied perfectly in this match.
