Video: Shamoska: We exploited Al-Hilal’s weaknesses… and this is my stance on coaching Saudi Arabia

Speaking at the post-match press conference, as reported by the Saudi newspaper *Al-Sharq Al-Awsat*, Shamoska said: “We use a platform to analyse our opponents, and it revealed to us that there was a flaw in Al-Hilal’s organisational structure, which we exploited.”

He added: “We have a specialist in set-piece and cross training, and we work on them all week because they are one of our weapons. We also created chances from counter-attacks, and we could have scored from them.”

Al-Taawoun scored their first goal against Al-Hilal from a corner, with Brazilian defender André Gerotto heading the ball past Yassine Bounou, who also scored the second goal from a cross.

The Brazilian coach acknowledged that Al-Hilal had been hampered by absences, commenting: “In every match we were looking for a win, regardless of the opponent. We know Al-Hilal have players out, but it’s always difficult to play against them. We played to the best of our ability and came away with a draw.”

He added: “We’ve improved well recently, and Roger (Martínez)’s absence affected us, but we employed the false nine tactic against Al-Hilal, and as I said, the data revealed to us that Al-Hilal struggles with defensive set-pieces.”

Meanwhile, Shamoska emphasised Al-Hilal’s ability to bounce back and win titles, including the Roshen League, despite trailing leaders Al-Nassr by five points with just seven matches remaining in the season.

He explained: “Al-Hilal are competing on several fronts and have a number of injured players, which has deprived them of a number of options, but I believe they have the ability to make up for this and win titles.”

Meanwhile, the Brazilian coach expressed his delight at being nominated to lead the Saudi national team in the coming period, succeeding French coach Hervé Renard, but emphasised his support for Renard and his confidence that he would achieve positive results at the 2026 World Cup.

Chamusca said in this regard: “I am pleased to be mentioned as a candidate to coach the Saudi national team. I worked in Saudi Arabia for eight years and was part of the league’s journey of development.”

He added: “However, it is important to support Renard during this period. We remember the standard he set at the 2022 World Cup, and he is capable of performing even better at the next World Cup.”