Victory is the key… Why is Gonçalves missing the Al Ahli vs Al Faiha match? Al-Ahli Jeddah’s Brazilian star player, Matheus Gonçalves, will miss the upcoming match against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Roshen League, despite being neither injured nor suspended. The decision to exclude the player from the squad was made by German coach Matthias Jaissle, who cited concerns over the risk of Gonçalves receiving a yellow card during the game. This precautionary measure is intended to avoid his potential absence in the subsequent match against Al-Nassr FC, which is scheduled for 28 April. The match between Al-Ahli and Al-Fayha is set to take place at the Al-Majma’ah Sports City Stadium on Wednesday, 8 April. This fixture was moved forward from the 29th round of the league, adding urgency to the tactical decisions made by the coaching staff. According to reports from the Saudi newspaper Al-Yaum, Jaissle’s decision reflects a strategic focus on minimizing disciplinary risks, particularly given the high stakes of the league race. Al-Ahli currently sit third in the Saudi Pro League table with 65 points, five points behind leaders Al-Nassr and level with second-placed Al-Hilal on goal difference. The exclusion of Gonçalves has sparked speculation about the club’s approach to managing player discipline. While the player’s absence is not due to a suspension or injury, the coach’s decision highlights the delicate balance between maintaining team cohesion and avoiding penalties that could disrupt the squad’s momentum. This move also underscores the competitive intensity of the league, where even minor infractions can have significant consequences for a team’s position in the standings.#saudi_pro_league #matheus_goncalves #matthias_jaissle #al_ahli_jeddah #al_fayha
