Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah has apologized and pledged his future to Al-Ahli after he reacted angrily to being substituted last week, but it remains to be seen whether he will start the league-deciding game with Ohod on Thursday.
Al-Somah caused a storm by reacting poorly to being substituted in the 70th minute of the big game with Al-Hilal on Saturday, storming straight past coach Sergiy Rebrov and down the tunnel. It has been reported the top-scorer has been banished from training this week.
The Syrian striker has since apologized via his SnapChat account for his actions and then gave a statement to MCB Sports show Action Ya Dawri.
“I made a mistake in my reaction to the coach Rebrov and I apologize to all Ahlawiya fans, but what was raised about my aggression with him was improper. I apologized to him and I repeat my apologies and I hope he accepts.”
Al-Somah has 11 goals this season, the second most in the Saudi Pro League, and he said he was hoping to partner substitute Muhannad Assiri — not be replaced by him — as Al-Ahli chased a goal that would have dramatically altered the title race.
“I was hoping not to replace the need for the team for a double prong attack, and all analysts have been surprised by this change, and do not know what the coach was thinking then,” said Al-Somah. “We needed to get to the goal and change the way we played. That’s what I was waiting for, like former coach Christian Gross, who was pushing two up-front when we were drawing in any game.”
Al-Somah has finished as the league’s top-scorer in the past three seasons and is contracted to the Jeddah club until 2020.
“I want to stay at Al-Ahli and the Saudi Pro League,” he said. “My relationship with the club is very strong. I cannot live outside Jeddah. I want to remain for the three years on my contract and I do not think about leaving. I will not leave Al-Ahli unless the administration and the fans are convinced that I cannot give any more.”
Al-Somah will be itching to start against bottom club Ohod on Thursday, especially as they have conceded 47 goals this season, but Rebrov must decide whether to put his faith in a player who made such a public show of disastisfaction, especially with the title on the line. Al-Ahli need to beat Ohod and hope Al-Hilal slip up against Al-Fateh.
