Rodgers' Al Qadsiah Lose 3-2 to Al Ettifaq, End Unbeaten Run

Brendan Rodgers suffered his first defeat as manager of Al Qadsiah on Sunday, ending a 17-match unbeaten run in the Saudi Pro League with a 3-2 loss to Al Ettifaq in the Eastern Derby.

The match, played in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, saw Al Qadsiah take an early lead through Julián Quiñones in the 33rd minute. However, their momentum shifted dramatically two minutes later when midfielder Mohammed Waheeb Abu Al Shamat received a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men. Al Ettifaq capitalized before halftime, with Scotland defender Jack Hendry leveling the score via a downward header in the 40th minute.

The second half belonged to the hosts. Moussa Dembele headed Al Ettifaq ahead just two minutes after the restart, and Georginio Wijnaldum extended the lead to 3-1 from a penalty kick midway through the period. Quiñones pulled one back for Al Qadsiah in the closing stages, but the game ended with the visitors down to nine players following an injury-time red card to Gastón Álvarez.

Hendry and Dembele, both former Celtic players signed by Rodgers during his time at the Scottish club, proved pivotal in the outcome. Hendry, who joined Al Ettifaq after spells in Scotland and...