Sabinto Ricardo, the Portuguese head coach of Raja Athletic Club, has taken full responsibility for his team’s unexpected defeat against Al-Salem, promising to learn from the setback and correct the squad’s imbalances ahead of their upcoming match against the Royal Army.
Reflecting on the match, Ricardo described the loss as “sudden,” admitting that the team had not anticipated such an outcome. “It was an unexpected defeat, and we did not see it coming,” he said.
“I could not understand the drop in performance during the second half.
We had control of the game and even took the lead, but unfortunately, we conceded a goal against the run of play and then fell back.”
The coach acknowledged that the result was a learning opportunity and assured fans that steps would be taken to rectify the issues.
“The defeat has provided us with a set of lessons, and I am committed to addressing the coaching errors.
We need to ensure the team is well-prepared and at its best when facing the Royal Army,” Ricardo said.
He also made it clear that he does not blame the players for the loss, stating that they had followed his instructions throughout the game.
“I am the one responsible because I designed the match plan.
The players did what I asked of them, and I take full accountability for the outcome,” he added.
Ricardo called on his squad to put the loss against Al-Salem behind them and focus on the critical match against the Royal Army scheduled for next Tuesday.
The coach’s message was clear: the team must move forward, learn from their mistakes, and bring a more balanced and cohesive approach to their next challenge.
As Raja Athletic Club prepares for their upcoming fixture, fans will be watching closely to see if Ricardo’s adjustments can help turn the team’s fortunes around and deliver the performance that supporters have been eagerly anticipating.
