Matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs in Asian championships are considered among the strongest regional derbies, attracting widespread public and media attention. In a stunning upset, following a dramatic match, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal was eliminated early from the AFC Champions League after a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat (4-2) to Qatar's Al-Sadd, following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time. This decisive encounter took place at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, and it came as a major shock to fans of the Asian "Leader," who are accustomed to reaching the final stages and winning continental titles.
The repercussions of this early exit weren't limited to the fans; they extended to prominent figures within Al-Hilal. Prince Abdulrahman bin Musa'id, the club's former president and one of its most historically significant figures, expressed his profound displeasure and deep sadness regarding the team's performance. In a lengthy tweet on his official social media account, the Prince described the match in powerful terms that reflected his deep bitterness, saying: "The worst Al-Hilal match I've seen in years... It disgusted me, gave me a headache, and raised my blood pressure." This statement reflects the strong emotional connection and deep concern these figures have for the club's standing both domestically and continentally.
In his technical analysis, Bin Musaed addressed the reasons for this unfortunate exit, pointing to a confluence of several negative factors that led to this result. Among the most prominent of these factors were the absence of key players such as Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Brazilian star Malcom, in addition to egregious tactical errors, including playing without a proper right-back, poor defensive coverage, and slow transitions. He strongly criticized the substitutions made by the coaching staff, employing a scathing critique that reflected a state of confusion. He pointed out the substitution of influential players like Mendesh while keeping others who were physically exhausted. He commented with bitter sarcasm on certain names and haphazard tactical decisions, comparing them to the blunders of other clubs, such as mentioning names like Benzema, Inzaghi, and Nunez in the context of his criticism of unsuccessful signings and tactical decisions.
On the administrative front, Prince Abdulrahman emphasized that the only positive outcome of this harsh exit was to awaken Al-Hilal fans to the fact that the current team needs a radical overhaul. He stressed that the first step towards reform lies in hiring a distinguished sporting director with the competence to end the chaos of haphazard signings. Despite the harsh criticism, Bin Musaed was keen to demonstrate his support and absolute confidence in the club's key figures, foremost among them Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, affirming that Al-Hilal is in safe hands. He also recalled the significant efforts made by Prince Nawaf bin Saad in previous periods, despite the difficult circumstances and the failure of some signings.
Regarding the performance of the local stars, Bin Musaed focused on the level of team captain Salem Al-Dawsari, considered one of the best players in the history of Saudi football. He explained that Salem was not at his usual level despite scoring a goal, criticizing the decision to substitute him in the second half with players who did not provide the desired attacking boost, such as Simon. He concluded by evaluating the winter signings, emphasizing that they need a long period to adapt, a luxury that a club the size of Al-Hilal, which always demands immediate trophies, cannot afford. He expressed his hope that the team would succeed in salvaging its season by winning the King's Cup, despite acknowledging the difficulty of the task.
