In Friday’s Saudi Pro League match between Al-Ettifaq and Al Shabab, Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Rodák delivered an outstanding performance, playing a crucial role in his team’s 3-1 victory under their new head coach.

Rodák faced an onslaught from Al Shabab’s attack, with the opponents registering 30 shots, 10 on target. However, with his quick reflexes and exceptional game reading, the Slovak shot-stopper kept his team in the game, making decisive saves in key moments.

Match Highlights

The opening goal came in the 35th minute, courtesy of Georginio Wijnaldum, giving Al-Ettifaq the lead. However, just five minutes later, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Al Shabab’s prolific striker with 9 goals in 13 matches, equalized with a well-placed finish following a rapid counterattack.

Despite the setback, Al-Ettifaq went into halftime with a 2-1 lead. Douglas Costa's sharp playmaking and awareness inside the box allowed him to restore his team’s advantage just before the break.

The second half saw Al Shabab intensify their offensive pressure, forcing Rodák into action on multiple occasions. Under the guidance of head coach Fatih Terim, the visitors unleashed a relentless barrage of 24 shots in the second half alone, with eight of them testing Rodák directly.

One of the most crucial moments came in the 75th minute, when Al Shabab was awarded a penalty. With tension mounting, Rodák stood tall and denied Hamdallah’s spot-kick, keeping Al-Ettifaq ahead.

As Al Shabab desperately pushed for an equalizer, Rodák continued to repel their efforts, making several crucial saves to frustrate the opposition. Then, in the 101st minute, Wijnaldum sealed the victory on a swift counterattack, making it 3-1 for Al-Ettifaq.

Rodák Earns High Praise and Recognition

Rodák’s heroics did not go unnoticed. His commanding presence between the posts earned huge praise from fans, teammates, and analysts alike. According to Sofascore, a leading football statistics platform, Rodák was awarded a rating of 8.9/10, making it the highest-rated goalkeeping performance of the season so far.

His stellar display also secured him a spot in the Saudi Pro League Team of the Week, featuring alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyad Mahrez—a testament to his growing reputation in the league.

With this victory, Al-Ettifaq climbs higher in the league standings, and Rodák continues to establish himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Saudi Arabia. Fans eagerly await his next performances under the team’s new management.