Future Talk
Shiya Shaahee went out for drinks with his countrymen afterwards by himself, adding that bit of fuel to ever-present speculation that he, like Seytek Djekshenkulov, might be engineering a transfer. While his ability on the wing has never been doubted after a stuttering introduction, he has yet to make more than nine starts in each of his three full seasons with the Birds.
"It's less than I hoped." Shaahee was on record as saying. "The coaches have often explained that my skills were not that they needed, in some games. But that's fine. As long as I'm here, I will do my part when asked to."
Another former youth international probably has had it worse, though, as
Rashid bin Ahmad joined to much fanfare, only to be picked in the first team for just seven of the thirty competitive matches where he has been available, no thanks to the irreplaceability of Saudi skipper
Qassem Madaini, and the link-up play of
Ling Fuquan.
Head coach
Niculae Stanca admitted that it was a problem, and that Rashid should be starting many more games than he currently does. "He's been very understanding, knowing that he's first in line when Madaini decides to move on." Stanca commented. "And if he keeps on like he did today, he could be the one moving him on!"
