The Al-Shabab Courier
Market30 Aug 2027
Basil Al-Sayyali asks to leave Al-Shabab
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Market30 Aug 2027
Not going: Ahmed Bamasud stays at Al-Shabab
“I know what people will say. I know what I want, and it is here.” Al-Shoulla had the fee agreed and the shirt ready; they did not have the player, and now they will not.
Player ratings30 Aug 2027
Vintage Yannick Carrasco — 7.86
At 34 every good afternoon gets called a throwback, and this one was: 7.86, and nobody on the pitch better.
Market30 Aug 2027
Al-Shabab say no — this time
The offer from Al-Saudi Al-Watani for Ali Makki was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Squad30 Aug 2027
A falling-out at Al-Shabab
Paulo Oliveira and a teammate went at it, and not about football. Training grounds are small places and a long season makes them smaller.
Player ratings30 Aug 2027
Tin Jedvaj ran the middle of the pitch — 7.17
He won it back and then made something of it, which is two jobs and the reason the scoreline looks the way it does. 11 combined actions and a mark of 7.17, and not one of them will make a highlights package.
Squad30 Aug 2027
Abdulelah Dagar out for 16 days
The medical room confirms 16 days on the sidelines for Abdulelah Dagar, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.
The dugout30 Aug 2027
Ali Al-Asmari gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Market30 Aug 2027
Al-Mojzel are about to pick up the phone
A conversation is coming this week. Al-Shabab will put a number on him, and from there it stops being football and becomes arithmetic.
In brief
- Squad 12 new faces, and Al-Shabab are still learning each other
- Match Al-Shabab share the spoils with Al-Taawoun
- The dugout The view from the dugout