“The match was tough, and we could have scored 3 or 4 goals in the first half, but in the second half, the players showed great belief in victory despite being outnumbered,” said Al-Ittihad’s manager, Sérgio Conceição, following his team’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Hazm on Matchday 27 of the Roshen League.
The only goal of the match came from Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in the 72nd minute, securing a crucial three points for Al-Ittihad. This victory propelled the team to 45 points, placing them in sixth position in the league standings.
In contrast, Al-Hazm’s defeat dropped them to 11th place with 31 points, highlighting the challenges they face as the season progresses. The match was particularly intense, with Al-Ittihad’s Moussa Diaby receiving a red card after initially being shown a yellow for a violent foul on Abdulrahman Al-Dakhil in the 33rd minute.
Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage for much of the match, Al-Ittihad managed to hold onto their lead, demonstrating resilience and determination. “I don’t want us to play with a numerical disadvantage, and I am against violent interventions,” Conceição added, reflecting on Diaby’s actions.
Al-Ittihad’s recent performance has been a rollercoaster, having been knocked out of the cup prior to this match. However, this victory against Al-Hazm may serve as a turning point for the team as they aim to climb higher in the league.
As the season continues, both teams will be looking to build on this match. Al-Ittihad will seek to maintain their momentum, while Al-Hazm will need to regroup and address their shortcomings to avoid slipping further down the table.
With the league’s competitive nature, every match counts, and both teams will be eager to secure vital points in the upcoming fixtures.