Rodgers confident Al Qadsiah can challenge Al Hilal despite defeat

Brendan Rodgers said Al Qadsiah had shown they can compete with Al Hilal for the rest of the season, despite losing 3-2 in a closely fought Roshn Saudi League match.

Al Hilal claimed victory in Friday’s 11th-round fixture at Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, with the result taking them to the top of the table on 27 points.

Rodgers, Al Qadsiah’s Irish manager, praised his players after the match and said they had matched the league leaders for long periods.

“We played a great game and competed with Al Hilal,” Rodgers said at his post-match news conference, according to Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

He added: “We were missing some players, but I am proud of what the players produced. The message has been delivered that Al Qadsiah will compete with Al Hilal until the end of the season.”

Asked to explain the message, Rodgers said Al Qadsiah’s rapid progress had made their performance particularly significant.

“Two seasons ago, Al Qadsiah were in the First Division, and today they are competing strongly,” he said. “We are playing against an experienced team, and that is why I said it. I had no other intention.”

Rodgers also said he had reminded his squad that they had given everything in the match.

“I told the players after the game that they had not fallen short,” he said. “They gave everything they had, and even worked twice as hard. That is why I had to salute them, because they did not fail in anything.”

The Al Qadsiah manager refused to use the circumstances around the game as an excuse, although he noted that Al Hilal had enjoyed a relatively longer period of rest.

“I do not like making excuses, but Al Hilal’s players had a relatively longer rest,” Rodgers said. “I congratulate Al Hilal on the victory; they deserved it. They have big stars, as does my team, and it was a great match despite the physical demands and the absences we had.”

Rodgers also expressed his confidence in the Saudi players within his squad and looked ahead to the next generation of talent.

“I am proud of having Saudi names in the team, because they are a pillar of the side,” he said. “The Saudi player is developing and producing excellent performances. I have several players, including Musab Al-Juwayr, Jihad Zakri, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat and Al-Qahtani, among others.

“I am optimistic about having a wonderful Saudi generation at the 2034 World Cup.”

The victory moved Al Hilal to the summit, two points clear of Al Qadsiah. Al Qadsiah fell to third place on goal difference behind Al Nassr, although the Eastern Province side have played one more match.