Hattan Bahebri, captain of Al-Kholoud, confirmed that the loss in the King's Cup final against Al-Hilal was painful, but the team quickly put that behind them to focus on their primary goal of securing their place in the Saudi Professional League. In statements reflecting a sense of responsibility and professionalism, Bahebri emphasized that the upcoming match against Al-Akhdoud represents another "final" where there is no room for error.
Bahabri praised his team's performance in the final, saying, "We played a great and fantastic match against a champion team like Al-Hilal. We were determined to win and make our fans happy, but luck wasn't on our side. Football is about winning and losing, and Al-Hilal deserved the title." He added that the greatest honor of the match was greeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on the podium, which he considered an honor for every Saudi athlete.
The context of the competition and the importance of the King's Cup
The King's Cup, known as the "most prestigious cup," is the oldest and most coveted tournament in Saudi football history, with its first edition held in 1957. Reaching the final is a historic achievement in itself for clubs like Al-Kholoud, especially in a season marked by unprecedented competitiveness in Saudi football. Facing Al-Hilal, the league champions and the leading Saudi and Asian club, in the final showcased the significant progress Al-Kholoud has made. Despite the loss, the team earned the respect and admiration of everyone for their fighting spirit and high morale.
The focus shifts to a fateful battle for survival
After the cup final ended, Al-Khuloud returns to reality, facing a crucial task to secure their place in the top flight. The team occupies a precarious position in the Roshan League standings, making their remaining matches, starting with the Al-Akhdoud game, battles for survival. Bahbri explained this shift in priorities, saying, “We’ve put the King’s Cup final behind us, and our focus is entirely on tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) match against Al-Akhdoud. Our goal is to win and secure the three points to stay in the Roshan Saudi Professional League.”.
A message to the fans and a look to the future
The captain of Al-Khulood didn't forget to address his club's fans, apologizing for not winning the coveted title and thanking them for their unwavering support throughout the season. Bahbri's statements serve as a call to his teammates and the fans to rally around the team during this crucial period, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts and intense focus to achieve the desired goal: securing the club's place among the elite next season and building upon the historic achievement of reaching the final of the most prestigious cup competition.
