In a statement reflecting the magnitude of the historic moment, Mr. Ben Harburg, president and owner of Al-Khulood FC, revealed his overwhelming emotions ahead of the highly anticipated match between his team and Al-Hilal FC in the King's Cup final. Speaking to the media, Harburg said, "I'm emotional... I'm going to cry right now," expressing his immense passion for this match, which could write the most glorious chapter in his club's history.
Historical background: The dream final between the giant and the ambitious
The King's Cup, known as the "most prestigious cup," is the most important and oldest tournament in Saudi football after the league. The qualification of Al-Kholoud, a club that plays in the First Division (Yellow League) and recently gained promotion to the Saudi Professional League, for the final is one of the biggest surprises in the tournament's history. This achievement pits the relatively unknown club against Al-Hilal, the leading Saudi and Asian club and record holder for the most wins in the competition, setting up a scenario reminiscent of the legendary battles of David and Goliath that captivate football fans worldwide.
The incredible journey to eternity towards the final
Al-Kholoud's path to the final was not paved with roses, but rather filled with formidable challenges. The team 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. Al-Kholoud clinched that marathon encounter with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory after the match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time. The team displayed a high level of fighting spirit and impressive tactical discipline, confirming their worthiness of reaching this advanced stage.
Harburg's remarks: A passion that transcends investment
Ben Harburg explained that this match represents more than just a sporting investment for him. He said, "I'm 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." He added, "In matches like these, you feel like your life is on the line, so if we win, I will be overwhelmed with emotion. We are living a dream, and we hope to win the title.".
The importance of the event and its expected impact
This final carries immense significance that transcends its outcome. Locally, Al-Khulood's reaching the final serves as an inspiration to smaller and medium-sized clubs, proving that ambition and hard work can break the dominance of the larger clubs. Internationally, having an American owner leading a Saudi club to a historic achievement highlights the attractiveness of the sports investment environment in the Kingdom, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030 to develop the sports sector. Winning the title will not only be another trophy in Al-Khulood's collection, but will also send a powerful message about the significant transformation underway in Saudi football.
Al-Hilal's challenge and preparations for eternity
Harburg was not underestimated by the opponent, acknowledging the difficulty of the task: “The match will not be easy at all. Al-Hilal is a strong and experienced team in such finals, possessing considerable experience. They will also have the largest share of tickets, which gives them a clear advantage in terms of fan support, but we will try to compensate for that with fighting spirit and focus on the pitch.” He concluded by calling for unity: “We must all work together within the club – coaching staff, players, and fans – and perform at our best, because opportunities like these don't come around often, and we must make the most of them.”.
