Vitoria Pereira, head coach of Al-Shabab, has defended Moroccan striker Abdel Razzaq Hamdallah after the forward missed a crucial penalty during stoppage time in their Saudi league clash against Al-Nasr.
The missed opportunity cost Al-Shabab the chance to secure an equalizer, with Al-Nasr ultimately clinching a 2-1 victory.
Speaking to the press, Pereira acknowledged Hamdallah’s role in the team’s attack, praising his overall contributions despite the missed spot-kick.
“Hamdallah is excellent at taking penalties, but unfortunately, he didn’t convert it against Al-Nasr,” Pereira said.
The coach was quick to emphasize that missing a penalty does not diminish Hamdallah’s abilities or his importance to the team.
“Hamdallah is a great player and one of the best strikers,” Pereira continued. “Even Cristiano misses penalties, and he’s a great player too.
Missing a penalty doesn’t change a player’s value; it’s simply a part of the game.”
The comments were a clear sign of support for Hamdallah, who has been a key figure for Al-Shabab throughout the season.
Pereira’s message underlined that occasional errors, even in crucial moments, are inevitable for top athletes, and it is important not to judge their overall performance based on a single incident.
Al-Shabab, currently battling to improve their position in the league, will hope to bounce back in their next match, with Hamdallah expected to continue playing a central role in the team’s attack.
As Pereira’s defense of his star striker indicates, the coach’s focus remains on building resilience within the squad and maintaining confidence, even after setbacks.
The Saudi Pro League continues to be intensely competitive, and Al-Shabab’s ability to recover from such tight encounters will be crucial in their quest to climb the standings.
