Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal will play its next match in the AFC Champions League against UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli, amid significant absences in its ranks, as the absence of three of its most prominent key players has been confirmed, most notably international star Salem Al-Dawsari, the best player in Asia for 2022, and veteran Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, in addition to another player, by decision of the technical staff led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus.
This decision comes as part of a well-considered strategy by Jesus, who preferred to rest these key players and give them a chance to catch their breath, especially since the team had already secured qualification for the quarter-finals of the tournament, topping their group with a perfect record after winning all their previous matches. The match is essentially a formality for Al-Hilal in terms of qualification, giving the coach an opportunity to implement his rotation policy and prepare the substitutes for the crucial upcoming stages of the season, both domestically and continentally.
The context of the tournament and Al-Hilal's Asian history
The AFC Champions League, in its new format, is the most prestigious club competition in Asia. Al Hilal holds the record for the most titles with four, making them the undisputed "Leader of Asia." The team enters this edition as one of the favorites to win the title, bolstered by a rich history of achievements, a squad boasting a constellation of local and international stars, and having broken the world record for consecutive wins in football history this season.
The importance of the decision and its expected impact
Domestically, the decision to rest key players reflects the depth and strength of Al Hilal's squad and underscores the coaching staff's confidence in all team members. It also aims to protect the starting players from fatigue and injuries before the remaining crucial matches in the Saudi Professional League and the King's Cup. Regionally, the match will be a true test for Al Hilal's second-string players against a strong team like Shabab Al Ahli, giving them an opportunity to prove their worthiness of starting positions. Internationally, this move aligns with the professional practices of the world's top clubs, which manage their squads intelligently to cope with the pressure of matches and competing on multiple fronts, thus reinforcing Al Hilal's image as a club run with a modern, global mindset.
