https://arab.news/44pap
- Club鈥檚 Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca feeling the heat after inconsistent start to season
Al-Shabab will be looking to break one of 抖阴短视频n football鈥檚 longest jinxes when they attempt to beat league champions Al-Hilal for the first time in seven years at King Fahd International Stadium on Thursday night.
The club鈥檚 last league win over Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League was way back on Oct. 17, 2014 鈥� a 1-0 triumph thanks to a stoppage-time goal by South Korean player Park Chu-young.
The results since then highlight Al-Hilal鈥檚 dominance, with nine wins from the 13 league matches between the two clubs, with the other four ending in draws.
Al-Shabab go into the match sitting in 11th place in the SPL with five points from one win, two draws and two losses, while Al-Hilal are in second spot with 10 points from four matches, having had their match against Al-Fayha postponed.
Brazilian coach Pericles Chamusca took over at Al-Shabab at the start of the season but he is already feeling the heat after the inconsistent start, especially as the club finished second last season. A match against the champions might not be the fairest way to judge his team, but many predict that he could follow compatriot Mano Menezes 鈥� sacked by Al-Nassr earlier this week 鈥� out of the door if there is no immediate improvement.
There is some good news for Al-Shabab, however, with the return to fitness of several players. Chamusca will be able to call on Argentine playmaker Ever Banega, Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, Senegalese defensive midfielder Alfred N鈥橠iaye and Saudi keeper Fawaz Al-Qarni for the match against Al-Hilal.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, will welcome back Salman Al-Faraj after his recent injury.