Casteels, Rodak enter Eastern Derby with Golden Glove still up for grabs The second Eastern Derby of the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League season promises to be a highly anticipated clash between Al Qadsiah and Al Ettifaq, with both teams vying for crucial points in the title race and individual accolades. Al Qadsiah, currently fourth in the league table, faces a pivotal test as they seek to close the gap on the top three, while Al Ettifaq aims to maintain their competitive edge in the East Coast rivalry. The match, set for Sunday at EGO Stadium in Dammam, carries significant weight beyond the league standings, as it also features a high-stakes battle between goalkeepers Koen Casteels and Marek Rodak for the Golden Glove award. Al Qadsiah’s position in the league is precarious. With five points separating them from second place and 10 points behind leaders Al Nassr, the team must secure maximum points to keep their title aspirations alive. The club’s recent form has been mixed, as they have conceded the most goals among the top four teams (16) but also scored the most goals in the league (46) under manager Brendan Rodgers. However, their defensive vulnerabilities have been evident, with only one clean sheet in their past five RSL fixtures. For Casteels, the Belgian goalkeeper, this match presents an opportunity to strengthen his case for the Golden Glove, which he previously won with 14 clean sheets in the 2024-25 season. Despite his team’s attacking prowess, Casteels’ ability to limit goals will be critical for Al Qadsiah’s late-season push. Meanwhile, Al Ettifaq’s goalkeeper Marek Rodak is also in the running for the Golden Glove, though his path is more complex.#al_ettifaq #al_qadsiah #koen_casteels #marek_rodak #roshn_saudi_league
