In a moving statement reflecting the stakes and the depth of his emotions, Mr. Ben Harburg, the American president and owner of Al-Khulood FC, revealed his emotional side ahead of the highly anticipated match between his team and Al-Hilal in the King's Cup final. Harburg told the media, "I am a very emotional person, and if we win the title against Al-Hilal, I will undoubtedly break down in tears. It will be a truly magnificent and exceptional moment in the club's history.".
Historical background: The dreamy journey of eternity towards the final
These statements come at the height of an exceptional season for Al-Kholoud FC, which is writing an inspiring story in Saudi football. The team, which competes in the First Division (Yellow League), reaching the final of the most prestigious Saudi Cup is a historic achievement in itself. Al-Kholoud secured its place in the final after a remarkable run, the highlight of which was eliminating Al-Ittihad, one of the giants of Saudi football, in the semi-finals in a marathon match decided by penalties (5-4) after the original and extra time ended in a 2-2 draw. The team displayed a high level of fighting spirit and fierce competition until the very last moment.
The importance of the confrontation and its expected impact
This final holds immense importance on multiple levels. Domestically, it represents a clash of titans; Al-Kholoud is the dark horse seeking to pull off a major upset, while Al-Hilal, the leading Saudi and Asian club, enters the match as the overwhelming favorite to win the title, thanks to its constellation of international stars and extensive experience in finals. Harburg acknowledged the difficulty of the task, saying, "The match will be anything but easy. Al-Hilal is a strong and experienced team in such finals, possessing considerable experience, and they will have the largest share of tickets, giving them a clear advantage in terms of fan support. However, we will try to compensate for that with fighting spirit and focus on the pitch.".
International perspective and investment vision
On the international level, the presence of an American president at the helm of a Saudi club reaching this level adds a significant investment and media dimension, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop the sports sector and attract foreign investment. Winning the title would not only be a sporting victory but also an inspiring success story that could pave the way for new investments in Saudi clubs beyond the top tier. Harburg added, "In matches like these, you feel like your life is on the line, so if we win, I'll be overwhelmed with emotion. We're living a dream, and we hope to win the title.".
Harburg concluded his remarks by calling for unity within the club, saying: “We all need to work together within the club, from the coaching staff and players to the fans, and to perform at our best in this match, because such opportunities don’t come around often, and we need to make the most of them.”.
