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Al-Taawoun are defying logic with their performances in the Saudi Pro League this season.
The club sit second in the league having won seven of their opening 11 fixtures and have lost just once this season. They trail Neymar's Al-Hilal by just two points and find themselves above the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad.
They've no doubt been the surprise package of the competition as they operate on far less money than their rivals who they are currently besting in the league. It was only in 2020 when the club were almost relegated after a dismal season but were saved by a stoppage-time goal in the final game of the season.
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They've since recovered from that dire season but did it without spending copious amounts of money on European talents like their rivals. They forked out £7million on Musa Barrow to prize him away from Serie A side Bologna last month and the Gambian international has responded with three goals in five appearances.
Led by Brazilian manager, Pericles Chamusca, the 58-year-old has fostered a team atmosphere devoid of superstars and it's certainly working out for the Saudi minnows who aim to challenge the league's best for the domestic title and qualification for the AFC Champions League.
Will Al Taawoun pip the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr to win the Saudi Pro League title? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below
While they weren't able to afford the likes of Ronaldo, Neymar and so on, the Brazilian contingent of Mailson, Mateus Castro, and Joao Pedro with the latter netting four goals in six games has worked out brilliantly for the club who continue to exceed expectations this season.
Mohammed Al-Sarrah, former Al-Taawoun president and lifelong fan, told Al Arabiya English that the stability of the club has allowed for success on the pitch as he offered great praise to Chamusca who's coached in Saudi Arabia for the last eight years.
"The team is now in a period of technical and administrative stability, you can see there are no problems with the players, they play well and achieve good results so far," he said. "Coach Chamusca is increasingly considered one of the most distinguished coaches in Saudi football. He plays with a high tactical approach and is in tune with the capabilities of his players. They are defensively well-organized and control the midfield."
- Neymar
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Saudi Pro League
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