Jaissle’s Bold Pre-Match Stance: Ignore the Critics, Play Smart Against Sharjah

Jaissle’s Clear Message to His Team

Jaissle, the German coach of Al-Ahli Saudi, underscored the importance of securing a victory in the eagerly awaited match against Sharjah UAE, scheduled for Monday, as part of the Elite group stage of the AFC Champions League. He stressed that tactical intelligence and physical management will determine the outcome, and he expressed excitement about playing the tournament on home soil.

In the press conference held on Sunday, he said, 'The match against Sharjah is extremely important, and we must play smart because of the physical effort involved. We are excited to compete in the tournament on our home ground.'

He added: 'Picking the starting lineup is still early, but naturally we must collect the three points against Sharjah, and I am not focusing on the Al-Qadsia game right now.'

Jaissle also commented on the home advantage, noting his happiness to play tomorrow in front of a passionate crowd that supports them as they chase the title of the competition they hold.

Responding to questions about recent criticisms, he said, 'I don’t follow or care about the criticisms. What matters is achieving victory despite the circumstances; some players have joined national teams, and we have to deal with the matches with the squad we have available.'

Abu Al-Shamat: A Positive Update for Fans

Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, a key player for Al-Ahli Jeddah, brought good news ahead of the clash with Sharjah. He told reporters at the press event that his physical condition has improved significantly and that he is ready to play 90 minutes in every game. He emphasized that tomorrow’s match will be tough and that they will play to win, in order to bring joy to their supporters.

Al-Shamat also highlighted the team’s current league standing, noting that Al-Ahli Jeddah sit second in the Elite standings, just two points behind leaders Al-Hilal, with ten points from three wins and a draw. Sharjah, on the other hand, are sixth with four points after a win, a draw, and a loss. Al-Ahli aims to capitalize on home advantage to strengthen their position at the top or second place.

Al-Ahli’s Record Against Emirati Clubs

The club has faced Emirati teams 24 times in Asian competitions, winning 13 times (two wins via penalties), drawing seven, and losing four. Their attacking line has scored 47 goals, while conceding 33. Notably, Al-Ahli is the only club that has not lost in their last 22 matches in the Elite Champions.

They will conclude November with a match against Qadsia in the King’s Cup quarterfinal on November 28. Al-Ahli reached this round by defeating Al-Batin 3-0, while Qadsia eliminated Hams with a 3-1 win, keeping the fixture open for all possibilities.

Franck Kessié: The Man for Big Moments

The Ivorian Franck Kessié has earned a reputation as a clutch performer, contributing to Al-Ahli’s fifth league victory this season against Qadsia. The Saudi press noted that while Kessié’s influence had dipped in the early rounds of the league, he has regained his decisive touch in two heavyweight fixtures, including the match against Al-Ittihad and the one against Qadsia.

His timely goals and presence in critical moments underline his value for a team chasing top honors in both the league and Asian competitions.

Official Protest and Potential Consequences

In the last hours, a notable controversy erupted in Saudi football after Qadsia filed an official protest with the Saudi Football Federation against Al-Ahli. The claim centers on a discrepancy between the players listed pre-match and those who actually took the field. The Eastern club argued that there were listing irregularities that affected the lineup.

Legal expert Ahmad Al-Shaikhy explained on television that the protest hinges on whether a player, such as Fras Al-Bariqan, who was initially left out and then brought in, was included in the official lineup in a way that violates regulations. Additionally, concerns were raised about the inclusion of Iván Toni outside the roster, which could violate competition rules. If these accusations are proven, Al-Ahli could face a sanction that forfeits the three points from the match, among other penalties.

As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the disciplinary outcomes and how they might impact the standings ahead of the quarterfinals.

Punchline time: If you think lineups are a mystery, remember that even Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t solve the case of the missing left back on a Monday afternoon. And if football had a GPS, it would still say: 'You’re offside, buddy.'