Saudi Spark with a Brazilian Twist: Taawoun Rises Toward the Top of the Saudi Pro League

A Surprise Step Forward for Al-Taawoun

Fans might be surprised by the current Saudi Pro League table after six rounds, as Al-Taawoun sit in second place with five wins and one loss. They hold 15 points, three behind the flawless leaders, Al-Nassr.

It is not the giants, like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, or Al-Ahli, but a fresh wake-up call from the Yellow Brigade after an opening thud that featured a five-goal defeat against starry Al-Nassr.

Under Brazilian coach Berkeley Chamuskas, the team known as the Qassim Sugar, is building a steady climb toward the upper reaches.

Before the season, many expected the traditional powers to anchor the top four, but a rising Neom story and serious signings signaled that the path would be less predictable.

Yet Taawoun’s finish eighth last term did not doom them to a lesser role; they have shown the capacity to rebound from a hammer blow and respond instantly.

A snapshot: Chamuskas’s early magic seems to be shaping a new era for a club long considered compact but hungry.

Meanwhile, Neom’s strategic pivot and a managerial change at the top of the table have left Taawoun in a conversation with the big clubs, with a sense they are not simply spectators.

Chamuskas has also revived interest in a squad accustomed to building from the back and exploiting every miscue with pace, while Neom's rising status gives them more sleep at night.

Taawoun’s attacking output sits among the league’s top three, with 16 goals, just one behind the leaders and five ahead of some traditional names.

The team’s core includes homegrown standouts such as Mohammed Al-Kuwkabi, Walid Abdulwahab, and Sultan Mendesh, anchor the attack, providing pace, drive, and a tested sense of danger.

As Musa Baro has carried the goals, he is paired with Roger Martinez and a lively supporting cast, delivering a balanced threat across the forward line.

Top form has them flirting with a continental slot and perhaps even a cup trophy, beyond their 2023-24 fourth-place finish that had seen them beat bigger names.

And while the market value remains modest (about 35 million euros), Taawoun’s collective spirit and tactical discipline offer a sharper edge than some flashier squads.

If the coach keeps pushing, the club may push further into continental contention, much as they did in 2023-24 when they finished fourth, outrunning rivals and proving they belong on bigger stages.

Even their domestic cup run remains a real target, especially with bigger teams focused on Asia’s elite competition and the regular league schedule sometimes opening this trophy up.

Bottom line: Taawoun have turned a rough start into a credible challenge, showing resilience, a Brazilian-touched tactical identity, and a squad capable of surprising the established order.

Punchline 1: If football were a sniper game, Taawoun has taken aim and fired—twice, just to be safe.

Punchline 2: My predictions are so precise that even Chamuskas would nod and say, “Go on, coach.”