Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Saturday, for the highly anticipated match between Damac and Al-Qadisiyah, part of the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter comes at a particularly critical time for Damac, who are experiencing one of their most challenging periods, both technically and administratively. The "Knights of the South" remain in the relegation zone, currently occupying sixteenth place in the standings – a position unbecoming of the club's history and the aspirations of its large fan base in the Asir region.
The context of the competition and the challenges of the Roshan League
This season's Saudi League is witnessing unprecedented competition thanks to international signings and the soaring market value of clubs, making it more difficult for those that haven't prepared well to avoid relegation. In this context, Damac's situation is particularly worrying. The team has played nine rounds without a win, managing only five draws and four losses, accumulating a mere five points. This noticeable decline puts the team under immense pressure, especially since relegation to the second division is a financial and sporting nightmare that all clubs strive to avoid.
Harsh criticism and diagnosis of the technical flaw
The poor results sparked widespread anger in the club's sporting and media circles. In an interview with the newspaper Okaz, Hassan Al-Qubaisi analyzed the current situation, stating that collecting only 5 points out of a possible 27 is conclusive proof of a serious technical and administrative flaw. Al-Qubaisi emphasized the team's lack of response on the field, stressing that the international break was a golden opportunity for correction that was not optimally utilized. He called for a focus on the winter transfer window to bring in game-changing players to ensure the team's survival in the league.
Calls for radical change
For his part, critic Abdulrahman Al-Shehri considered Damac's position at the bottom of the standings an affront to the club's history, given its status as a cornerstone of sports in the Asir region. He explained that the team lacks tactical and technical identity, necessitating urgent intervention to recruit quality players who can restore its winning form. Similarly, media personality Saeed Al-Hatlaa expressed his complete dissatisfaction, pointing to the absence of influential players and a coach capable of managing matches and developing the players. Al-Hatlaa went further, demanding the resignation of the current administration and the appointment of a new coaching staff to salvage what can be salvaged before it's too late, emphasizing that there is still an opportunity to rescue the team from the threat of relegation if bold and swift decisions are made.
