Al-Ittihad will face Uzbekistan's Nasaf after the conclusion of their successful Dubai training camp
Al-Ittihad's first football team concluded their short training camp in Dubai, UAE, today (Sunday). The camp, held during the current break, aimed to reorganize the team's technical and physical preparations. Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição made sure to utilize every minute of the overseas camp to prepare the players in all aspects, both technically and physically, and to address the mistakes that surfaced in previous matches.
The results of the friendly matches played by the team in Dubai showed very positive signs regarding the Tigers' attacking prowess, as Al-Ittihad won both friendlies by wide margins; the first against Palm City ended 6-0, while the second against Gulf United finished 5-0. These results reflect the coaching staff's desire to enhance the team's scoring ability and create greater cohesion among the players before returning to the intense official competitions.
Preparing for the Asian arena
Al-Ittihad's delegation is scheduled to return to Jeddah to resume training next Tuesday with two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening, as part of their intensive preparations for the match against Uzbekistan's Nasaf Qarshi. The highly anticipated match will take place on Tuesday, December 23, at 9:15 PM, at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah (The Shining Jewel), as part of the sixth round of the AFC Champions League.
This match is of paramount importance to Al-Ittihad, as coach Conceição seeks to prepare his squad to secure all three points. This eagerness stems from the team's position in the group standings, where Al-Ittihad currently sits in eighth place with six points – a precarious position requiring a fight to guarantee a place in the knockout stages, especially given the tournament's new format featuring Asia's elite clubs, making every point crucial in the qualification race.
A strong comeback for the Roshan League
Domestically, Al-Ittihad faces equally important challenges immediately after their Asian campaign concludes. The team will resume their Saudi Professional League campaign with two high-profile matches this December. The first will be a highly anticipated derby against Al-Shabab on Saturday, December 27th, at 8:30 PM at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, a match in which Al-Ittihad will be looking to improve their position in the league standings.
The second match will be a risky trip north to face Neom on Wednesday, December 31st, at 6:25 PM at King Khalid Stadium in Tabuk, as part of the 11th and 12th rounds of the league. Al-Ittihad fans hope these matches will mark a new beginning for the team, which currently sits in seventh place with 14 points – a position unworthy of the club's history and the aspirations of its vast fan base, who eagerly await the team's return to contention for the top spot.
The next stage requires great cooperation between the management, the technical staff and the players, as December represents a crucial turning point in the team’s journey this season, whether to save the Asian chances or to correct the local course and get closer to the leading teams.
