Article by Romeo Ene, Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, 20 February 2026, 21:00 / Updated Friday, 20 February 2026 21:01
Al Akhdoud – Al Qadsiahmatch in the 23rd stage of the Saudi Arabian championship, is being played NOW. The match is liveTEXT on GSP.ro and cannot be watched on TV in Romania. Marius Șumudică (54 years old), the technician of the hosts, faces Brendan Rodgers (53 years old), the former coach of Liverpool from the period 2012-2015.
The Romanian technician is in great need of points in the perspective of the fight to avoid relegation. Before the game, his team was in 17th place, penultimate, with 10 points after 21 stages.
LIVE » Al Akhdoud – Al Qadsiah 0-0
Al Akhdoud – Al Qadsiah, starting teams:
Al Akhdoud (5-4-1): Samuel Portugal – Abu Abd, Gul, Gunter, Al Qaydhi, Bassogog, Neyou, Borrell, Ince – Al Lazam
reserves: Al Najjar – Al Abbas, Al Harthi, Al Hatila, Al Jahif, Al Zabdani, Asiri, Nguen, Salem
Coach: Marius Şumudica
Al Qadsiah (4-4-2): Casteels – Al Ahmad, Nacho Fernandez, G. Alvarez, Bonsu Baah – Al Ammar, Otavio, Al Juwayr, Nandez – Quinones, Retegui
reserves: Al Kassar – Al Shamat, Al Salem, Al Shahrani, Asiri, Hazazi, Houssa, Mahnasi, Thakri
Coach: Brendan Rodgers
Hellish mission for Marius Şumudica in Saudi Arabia
Marius Șumudică's team is currently in penultimate place, with 10 points after 21 stages, 6 behind Al Riyadh, Enes Sali's team which occupies the first place that ensures the rescue.
In 2026, the record is worrisome for the Romanian team: seven defeats, two draws and one victory.
The team of the former coach from Liverpool includes players such as Koen Casteels (ex. Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg), Nacho Fernandez (ex. Real Madrid), Otavio (ex. FC Porto), Julian Weigl (ex. Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, Monchengladbach), Mateo Retegui (ex. Genoa, Atalanta).
Now I'm dating Brendan Rodgers. Since he came from 12 matches he has 10 wins and 2 draws. He took over a very powerful company. It is very difficult, but we carry our cross.
We fight until the last match, let's see what will happen. If we manage to save ourselves, it will be ok for me, if not, it was a great experience meeting such coaches and trying to deal with them. It's very, very hard. It's not easy.
– Marius Sumudicafor fanat.ro
