Damac struggles to stay in the Roshan League... Analysis of the reasons for the decline in results
"Knight of the South" at a crossroads
Damac FC, nicknamed "The Knights of the South," is facing a difficult season in the Saudi Professional League, finding itself in a fierce struggle to maintain its identity and avoid relegation. Asian football analysts and experts, such as Dr. Yahya Jaber and Abdullah Al-Manea, believe the team's decline is not accidental, but rather the result of a complex interplay of technical, physical, and mental factors. Chief among these is a lack of tactical stability and cohesion among the players, which has eroded the team's familiar on-field identity.
Historical background and context of the competition
Founded in 1972 in Khamis Mushait, Damac FC represents the Asir region and the aspirations of its fans. After years of competing in the lower divisions, the team achieved its dream of promotion to the Saudi Professional League in the 2018-2019 season, becoming a regular fixture in the top flight. The team has delivered impressive performances in previous seasons, most notably achieving fifth place in the 2021-2022 season, its best-ever finish, which raised the expectations of its supporters. However, the current season, characterized by unprecedented competition and the influx of international stars, presents clubs like Damac with an even greater challenge to maintain their position.
Technical analysis of the reasons for the decline
Dr. Yahya Jaber points out that Damac's decline is a "natural consequence" of these overlapping factors. He explains, "Foremost among these reasons is the lack of technical stability. The team lacked consistency in its tactical approach, which resulted in a lack of a clear identity on the field." He adds that this inconsistency was evident in the weak defensive organization and the wide gaps between the lines, as well as the slow pace of attacking transitions, which gave opponents a clear advantage in many matches. Furthermore, the team's goalkeepers suffered from constant pressure due to the numerous opportunities created for opponents as a result of defensive errors and poor coordination among the defenders.
In midfield, the team lacked effectiveness in linking the lines and creating plays, which negatively affected the offensive output and left the strikers isolated on many occasions, depriving them of the ability to capitalize on opportunities as required.
An extension of past suffering and new challenges
For his part, Abdullah Al-Manea believes that Damac's struggles this season are a continuation of last season's, in which the team narrowly avoided relegation in the final rounds after bringing in Saudi coach Khaled Al-Atwi. He adds, "This season began with another setback, marked by the departure of most of the influential foreign players, with the exception of Algerian Abdelkader Bedrane, and the appointment of Portuguese coach Armando Evangelista, a newcomer to the Saudi league, in addition to a new squad of players." This significant change exacerbated the situation and left the team seemingly without a clear identity.
Al-Manea continues: “On the technical level, the current coach has not been able to create a combination capable of competing in the strongest league in the Arab world, due to the lack of harmony among the team members, the ambiguity of the tactical approach, and the failure to reach a playing style that suits the available capabilities.”.
The importance of staying and influencing the club's future
Damac's continued presence in the Roshan League is of strategic importance to the club and the entire Asir region. Relegation would mean the loss of significant sporting and economic gains achieved in recent years, and would also negatively impact the team's fan base. The "Knights of the South" are still capable of regaining their footing and avoiding relegation, provided the coaching staff can quickly address these shortcomings in the remaining matches, which will be crucial against strong teams like Al-Ittihad, Al-Fayha, and Al-Nassr.
