Al-Shabab's head coach, Emmanuel, expressed his immense pride in the fighting spirit displayed by his players during their thrilling encounter against Neom in the 15th round of the Saudi Professional League. The match, held at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, was highly exciting and ended with a well-deserved 3-2 victory for Al-Shabab, in what observers described as one of the most competitive and thrilling matches of the round.
Details of the confrontation and tactical approach
The coach emphasized in his post-match press conference that the three points were not a fluke, but rather the result of hard work and patience, especially given the recent significant absences within the team. Emmanuel stated, "It wasn't an easy match at all; we scored first and then lost the lead, but the team's true character shone through clearly in the second half, where we managed to come back, score, and secure the victory. We were even searching for a fourth goal until the very last moments of the game.".
In the context of the technical analysis, Emmanuel addressed his bold decision to include the player "Josh" in the center of defense, explaining the philosophy behind this change: "The player possesses high defensive discipline and exceptional quality in building the attack from the back. Josh is originally a midfielder, and employing him in defense gives us a great advantage in bringing the ball out properly under pressure, which is a fundamental pillar in our modern training philosophy.".
Defending Grohe and relying on youth
In response to technical criticisms regarding the accuracy of veteran goalkeeper Grohe's passes, the coach strongly defended his keeper, saying, "A goalkeeper's primary job is to save shots and protect the goal, and Grohe performed this role exceptionally well today, preserving the result during crucial moments." He also praised the team's attacking cohesion and wide distribution, noting that having Carlos as a substitute striker gave the team a different and more effective attacking approach.
The context of the competition and the importance of winning
This match holds particular significance in the context of the Saudi League this season, as the Roshan League is witnessing unprecedented competition among clubs to improve their positions in the standings. Al-Shabab's victory would restore confidence to the team, which is undergoing a crucial transitional phase focused on building a young squad. The club's management and coaching staff deserve credit for their courage in relying on young local talent, a point proudly emphasized by Emmanuel, who stated that Al-Shabab is "the team that gives the most opportunities to young Saudi players," a move that benefits Saudi football and the future of the national team.
A message to the patient fans
In closing, Emmanuel delivered an emotional message to the Al-Shabab fans, acknowledging the impact of the recent lack of victories on fan attendance. Addressing those who had come to support the team, he said, "This win is a gift to those who have stood by us; we are in a delicate rebuilding phase, and your patience is our motivation to perform at our best." This victory represents a tremendous morale boost for the Al-Shabab squad, allowing them to continue their league campaign with high spirits and reclaim their rightful place among the top contenders.
