Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Sunday, 08 March 2026, 00:05 / Updated on Sunday, 08 March 2026 00:20
Al Okhdood, the team coached by Marius Șumudică (55 years old), lost miserably at home against Al Fayha, score 0-5, in the 25th stage of the Saudi Arabian championship.
It is the second drastic failure that the technician suffers, after that 0-6 with Al-Hilal on February 5. His side are locked in a fight to avoid relegation and the outlook is bleak after tonight's result.
Al Okhdood, the team of Marius Şumudica, pulverized in Saudi Arabia
Nothing foreshadowed disaster for the Romanian team. Sabri Dahai opened the scoring for the visitors in the 11th minute, which was also the result recorded at halftime. The Romanian technician made two changes at halftime, but the guests enjoyed themselves in the following minutes.
Alfa Semedo made it 2-0 in the 55th minute, and Sakala 3-0 in the 61st minute. The table indicated 0-4 already in the 67th minute, thanks to the success signed by Jason Remeseiro.
Silvere Ganvoula set the final score in the last phase (90+1, penalty), 5-0 for Al Fayha, a team that climbed to 10th place in the championship, with 30 points after 25 stages.
On the other hand, Al Okhdood remains in 17th place, penultimate, with 13 accumulated points. They are 6th behind Damac, the team that occupies the first relegable place. For Şumudica's team, the away duel with Al Shabab follows on March 14.
Since January 2026 on the technical bench of the formation in Saudi Arabia, Şumudica has two wins, two draws and nine defeats.
For me it is an extraordinary experience. I say it with regret, but it will also be a prohibited country for Romanian coaches to enter. It will be very difficult to get in again.
There will be 2-3 coaching positions left for teams from the bottom of the ranking and fighting with giants is very difficult.
– Marius Sumudicathe coach of Al Okhdood, in February 2026, for fanatik.ro
