The Al-Ettifaq Sentinel
Player ratings1 Feb 2027
Khalid Al-Ghannam was unplayable
Successful dribbles: 34. He went past people as if he had been told there was a prize for it, and by the end the full-back had stopped pretending to try.
Match30 Jan 2027
Al-Ettifaq tear Al-Batin apart
Rarely has this fixture seen a display like it: 4‑0 against Al-Batin, and it could have been more.
Player ratings1 Feb 2027
Both of them Rayane Messi's — 9.53
2 goals, and the second was the one that settled it. Marked 9.53, and he could have had a third with better luck at the near post.
Player ratings1 Feb 2027
Vintage Riyadh Sharahili — 8.07
At 33 every good afternoon gets called a throwback, and this one was: 8.07, and nobody on the pitch better.
Squad1 Feb 2027
Remember the name: Rayane Messi
He is 19, he is averaging 7.11, and older professionals have started passing to him in the difficult minutes. That last part is the real scouting report.
Boardroom1 Feb 2027
Al-Ettifaq close the window on a squad of their own making
6 in and 3 out, and no more changes for months. The manager has what he has, the supporters have their opinion of it, and the table will have the last word.
Transfer targets1 Feb 2027
The paperwork begins on Mohammed Al-Khaibari
A medical, a signature, a shirt held up in front of a sponsor’s board. Al-Ettifaq have done the hard part with Al-Ra'ed, and the part that remains is the part supporters actually see.
Market1 Feb 2027
Al-Ettifaq get their man
The chase for Habib Al-Watyan ended with $330.0K changing hands and Al-Fateh out of reasons to say no. The supporters will judge the fee the only way that matters: on Saturdays.
Market1 Feb 2027
Al-Ettifaq sign Amer Khalil for $130.0K
The paperwork is done: Amer Khalil joins from Al-Ta'ee in a deal worth $130.0K. Now comes the harder part.
In brief
- Squad Matija Gluščević in a row with a teammate
- The terraces Al-Ettifaq supporters have found a favourite in Rayane Messi
- Player ratings A masterclass from Jack Hendry