Al Qadsiah Host Al-Ittihad in High-Stakes Roshn Saudi League Clash Al Qadsiah will face Al-Ittihad in a pivotal Roshn Saudi League encounter on Friday, 21 August 2026, as both teams aim to strengthen their positions in the 2026-27 season. The second-round match will take place at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium, with kick-off set for 21:00 Saudi Arabia time (22:00 UAE time). The fixture is anticipated to draw significant attention due to the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs in their early campaign. Al Qadsiah entered the season with a strong start, securing a 3-1 victory over Al-Shabab in their opening league match and following it with a dominant 5-0 win against Al-Tai in the King’s Cup. These results have positioned them as favorites to maintain their momentum heading into the match. In contrast, Al-Ittihad began their league campaign with a 1-1 draw, but they rebounded with a successful run in the King’s Cup, defeating Al-Najma in the round of 32. The visit to Al Qadsiah’s home ground will mark their first league test of the season, with the team hoping to convert their cup success into a league victory. The match is expected to be a key indicator of both teams’ ambitions in the new Roshn Saudi League. Al Qadsiah will look to extend their winning streak, while Al-Ittihad will seek to break their league losing streak and secure their first win of the campaign. Manager Brendan Rodgers is anticipated to field a competitive lineup for the hosts, though the exact starting XI has not yet been confirmed. Al-Ittihad’s Yanz Weising is also expected to select his squad, with final team announcements likely to come closer to kick-off. Broadcast details for the match include coverage by Thmanyah, the regional sports network.#al_ittihad #al_qadsiah #roshn_saudi_league #prince_saud_bin_jalawi_sports_city_stadium #thmanyah
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
