Terim praises Al Shabab’s fighting spirit after first RSL win | OneFootball

Al Shabab manager Fatih Terim was impressed by his side’s fighting spirit as they rallied from 1-0 down against capital foes Al Riyadh to triumph 2-1 on Wednesday - giving their new head coach a first Roshn Saudi League victory.

An important clash in the race for continental football, Al Shabab’s win consolidated sixth place in the table and opened a four-point gap to their rivals, while fifth-placed Al Ahli’s shock defeat to Al Kholood later on Wednesday meant Terim’s men are now level with them on 26 points.

“It was a good game; both teams fought hard for the 90 minutes,” the Turkish tactician said. “After we conceded, we had a positive reaction. I’m happy with our performance and dynamism, especially after conceding the first goal.”

A 56th-minute strike from veteran Yahya Al Shehri put Al Riyadh ahead at Al Shabab Club Stadium, but attacking duo Daniel Podence - the winger signed in the summer from English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers - and Abderrazak Hamdallah combined for both goals.

The Moroccan set up Podence for the equaliser in the 72nd minute, while the former Wolves star repaid the favour for Hamdallah to clinch the winner deep in added time.

“All players, including the substitutes, worked hard and fought until the end to get the result," Terim said. "Both goals, we scored in the final 30 minutes and added time, which is a testament to the fighting spirit of this team.

“In football, you could concede at any minute, but what matters the most to me is how we reacted to going behind and the fact that we didn’t give up until the end.”

Terim took charge of Al Shabab earlier in January, replacing Vitor Pereira, who in fact was appointed at Wolves. On debut last week, he guided the Riyadh side to victory against Al Fayha in the King’s Cup quarter-final, but fell to defeat against Merih Demiral’s Al Ahli in his first league match in charge.

“By now, I know all my players and their qualities," Terim said. "A new coach always needs time to get to know everything about his players, and they also need time to fully grasp the coach’s mentality, ways of working and style.”

Next up for the former Galatasaray and Türkiye boss is a tricky away clash against Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad on January 22.