Rodgers: Al-Qadsiah Saudi Arabia defeated Al-Faisaly with difficulty

Kuwaiti club Al-Qadsiah’s manager, Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers, acknowledged that his players faced significant difficulty in securing victory against Al-Faisaly (3-1) in the fourth round of the Saudi Pro League, while also noting that they squandered opportunities to win by a larger margin.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Rodgers said, “We studied our opponent thoroughly before the match, and we knew they would enter it with great confidence after their recent promotion. The game was as difficult as we anticipated.”

He added, “I applaud the players and appreciate the effort they exerted and the hardships they endured in recent matches, given the hot and humid conditions. I thank them for what they have delivered.”

The Northern Irish manager singled out defender Ibrahim Mahnashi for praise, stating, “Ibrahim rose to the occasion. He played, defended, and scored, and I would like to thank him for his contribution.”

Al-Qadsiah’s goals were scored by Matteo Rietiggi (5th minute), Mohammad Abu Al-Shamat (30th minute), and Mohammad Al-Shanqiti (56th minute, own goal), while Al-Faisaly’s sole goal came from Abdullah Sek (12th minute).

Al-Qadsiah’s tally rose to nine points, placing them third, while Al-Faisaly remained on one point, sitting at the bottom of the table.

In another match, Al-Shabab squandered three points after taking a 1-0 lead through Colombian striker Rogerio Martinez in the 48th minute, only to see the lead slip away when Swiss defender Avemiko Bululu equalized from a penalty kick in the 95th minute.

With this draw, Al-Hazem moved up to four points, sitting in 10th place, while Al-Shabab’s total remained at three points, placing them 13th.