Hashik to Okaz: The Saudi League belongs to Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr will regret it
In exclusive statements to Okaz newspaper, veteran Czech coach Ivan Hasek, the former technical director of Al-Hilal club, made fiery statements regarding the future of the competition for the Saudi Professional League title this season, stressing that the identity of the champion has been logically decided in favor of “Al-Zaeem”.
Absolute confidence in "Al-Zaeem" and expectations of clinching the title
Hasek expressed his unwavering confidence in Al-Hilal's ability to win the title, noting that the team is currently enjoying a period of excellent technical and administrative stability. Al-Hilal currently sits atop the league standings with 35 points, extending its lead over its traditional rival, Al-Nassr, to four points. This dominance is attributed to the capable leadership of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, as the team steadily progresses towards the championship.
Hasek said in his speech: “Al-Hilal’s lead in the Saudi League is the natural and logical situation; we are talking about the team that has the best football system in the entire Asian continent, not just in the Kingdom.”.
Victory and regret over lost points
In his analysis of the competition, Hasek issued a warning to Al-Nassr, who have slipped to second place after a series of stumbles in the last three rounds, following a strong start that saw them achieve 10 consecutive victories. The Czech coach emphasized: "I believe Al-Nassr will deeply regret squandering easy points in recent matches. The competition with Al-Hilal leaves no room for error, as the Blues are a team that doesn't give away gifts and doesn't make many mistakes that allow rivals to catch up.".
When asked about his final prediction for the champion, Hasek replied in a decisive tone: “I expect Al-Hilal to be crowned champions 100%. This confidence is not out of thin air, but rather stems from my experience and previous experience within the corridors of this great club, and my knowledge of the winning mentality that prevails among its players and management.”.
Neves and Salem... the keys to Al-Hilal's superiority
Hasek also praised the individual players who make the difference in the Blues' lineup, singling out Portuguese star Ruben Neves and team captain Salem Al-Dawsari. He said, "Ruben Neves is a very dangerous and influential player in midfield; he dictates the tempo and scores crucial goals. I'm also very impressed with Salem Al-Dawsari's style; he consistently proves he's one of the best players on the continent.".
Historical background: Hašek and Al-Hilal
It's worth noting that Ivan Hašek is no stranger to Al-Hilal, having previously coached the team in 2012. During that brief period, he led them to victory in the Crown Prince Cup, giving him a deep understanding of the club's winning mentality. His comments come at a time when the Saudi league is undergoing a historic transformation with the arrival of a host of international stars, giving the title race a global dimension. Observers view Al-Hilal as a model of technical and institutional stability compared to its rivals.
The leader's dominance both in Asia and locally
These expectations align with Al-Hilal's illustrious history as the most decorated club in Asia in terms of continental titles and the dominant force in Saudi Arabian domestic competitions. Experts believe that the current technical stability and the quality of both foreign and domestic players give Al-Hilal a clear advantage in the long-term Roshan League campaign, reinforcing coach Hasek's conviction that the trophy will remain in the "Leader's" possession this season.
