Sergio Conceição, the coach of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club, decided to enhance the readiness of some bench players by giving them additional playing minutes with the club's under-21 team.

The Saudi newspaper "Al-Riyadiyah" reported that Conceição requested the participation of the quartet Faisal Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed Al-Julaidan, Hamed Al-Ghamdi, and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi for 60 minutes with the under-21 team during the match against their counterpart Al-Bukayriyah.

The match ended with Al-Ittihad's under-21 team winning 7-1, as part of the Joy Elite League competition.

The newspaper explained that the Portuguese coach's move aims to give bench players the opportunity to get more playing time, to enhance their technical and physical readiness in preparation for involving them with the first team in the upcoming period.

The Al-Ittihad players were given a two-day break from training following their 3-1 loss to Al-Ahli in the Jeddah Derby, as part of the 25th round of the Saudi Pro League.