Twin test: Abu Al Shamat brothers sharing sibling rivalry in RSL | OneFootball

Typically, a special bond exists between two footballing brothers; there’s love and loyalty, but there’s usually a rivalry that binds them, too.

Whether in the backyard kicking around a ball, or at any level of the game, oftentimes there’s a feeling both of wishing the best for your sibling, yet of wanting to do just that little bit better than them, also.

That’s only amplified, of course, when the brothers are twins.

Most probably, it’s good natured, but competitive, as is evidenced in the Roshn Saudi League, a competition with a history of brothers - and indeed, twins - sharing the pitch, such as the Lajami duo at Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr, respectively.

Rather strangely, at the former, Qassem Lajami isn’t the only player with a twin playing elsewhere in the league; on Wednesday night in Dammam, it will be Mohammed Abu Al Shamat’s turn to come up against brother Saleh, when Al Qadsiah take on Eastern Province rivals Al Khaleej in Matchweek 29.

This will be the second time the twins have faced one another this season, with the initial encounter coming in Matchweek 12 right at the end of November.

Then, at the same Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium that will stage Wednesday’s sibling stand-off, it was Mohammed Abu Al Shamat who departed with the bragging rights, thanks to a 1-0 victory.

To be fair, the Abu Al Shamat pair were on the pitch together for merely six minutes, with winger Saleh introduced as a substitute in the 75th minute as Al Khaleej chased the game before Mohammed, a defender, was substituted off in the 81st minute for Abdulaziz Al Othman.

Intriguingly, Al Othman who would go on to score the winner.

In the return fixture, Saleh will therefore be chasing a slice of revenge, which would most certainly deal a blow to Al Qadsiah’s top-four aspirations.

For as competitive as it might be between the Abu Al Shamat brothers, the reality is both have been super impressive for their respective clubs this season. At age 22, they are still young, yet both have been key contributors for their sides.

Mohammed Abu Al Shamat played an important role in Al Qadsiah’s promotion last season and was promptly – and deservedly - rewarded with a long-term deal through until 2029.

Clearly, manager Michel and the club hierarchy see the significant potential in a player versatile enough to perform in multiple positions.

Capable of playing anywhere on the right-hand side, either as a winger or wing-back or full-back, Abu Al Shamat has been deployed primarily as the latter this term. From there, he has been an integral part of a unit that has the best defensive record in the league having conceded only 25 goals in 28 matches.

What makes Abu Al Shamat so dangerous is not just his efforts at the back - he ranks second at Al Qadsiah for tackles and fourth for clearances - but also the threat he provides going the other way; it’s not unusual to see him bombing forward to join in with the attack.

So impressive has he been going forward that only Cameron Puertas (six) has more assists for Al Qadsiah this season than Abu Al Shamat, who has five, alongside star compatriot Turki Al Ammar.

He has chipped in with a goal, also, and few come more crucial than in an Eastern Derby against rivals Al Ettifaq. The opener in the 1-1 draw, it represented his first goal in the top flight.

It’s there he holds a slight advantage over sibling Saleh, who has one goal and three assists with Al Khaleej in the RSL this campaign. However, not everything can be looked at through the prism of sibling rivalry.

As Al Khaleej have pushed to finish in the top half of the table, Saleh has been a major contributor at pivotal moments: at present, he ranks third at the club for both chances created and “big chances” created.

When you consider that Saleh Abu Al Shamat has often come off the bench – he has starting 10 of his 24 RSL appearances – those stats showcase an impressive ability to have an impact in a short amount of time.

He’s also something of a barometer for the Saihat-based club; when Abu Al Shamat has scored or assisted, Al Khaleej have never lost. His assists arrived in the 2-1 win against Al Fateh, a 3-0 win against Al Orobah and a 2-2 draw with Al Ahli.

His solitary goal, meanwhile, set Al Khaleej on their way to a 2-1 win at Al Okhdood in Matchweek 17 in January.

No doubt he’ll be looking to double his tally on Wednesday. Every goal or assist matters, but if Saleh Abu Al Shamat can notch one against brother Mohammed, and earn some vital points for his 10th-placed side intent on catapulting into the top half, it might just mean that little bit more than most.