The coaching staff and fans of Al-Hilal breathed a sigh of relief after the club announced in an official statement that their captain and star player, Salem Al-Dawsari, is fit and available for the upcoming match against Al-Riyadh. This match is part of the 18th round of the Saudi Professional League and is scheduled to be held at the Kingdom Arena, the new home ground of the Riyadh-based club.
Details of "The Tornado's" return to the stadiums
Al-Hilal's media center confirmed via its official Twitter account that Salem Al-Dawsari has fully recovered from his recent injury. This injury had kept the player out of team training and matches for the past period, raising concerns among fans about the duration of his absence and its impact on the team's attacking prowess.
Al-Dawsari had suffered a serious and impactful injury during the Riyadh derby against arch-rivals Al-Nassr in the previous round of the league. Salem's return at this time is considered a huge morale and tactical boost for coach Jorge Jesus's squad, given the significant technical value he brings to the pitch.
The context of the competition and the importance of the match
The return of Asia's best player comes at a time when Al-Hilal is looking to continue its historic winning streak and strengthen its lead in the Saudi Professional League standings. Al-Hilal enters the match with high morale after its resounding 4-1 victory over Al-Fayha in the seventeenth round, a match that witnessed a remarkable performance from the team's players at the Kingdom Arena.
The Riyadh match holds particular importance, as Al-Hilal seeks to widen the points gap with its closest pursuer and ensure it doesn't drop any points that could hinder its quest to reclaim the league title. Matches between clubs from the capital are always highly competitive, making the readiness of all key players, especially Salem Al-Dawsari, crucial to securing the victory.
Salem Al-Dawsari's impact on Al-Hilal's system
There is no doubt that Salem Al-Dawsari is a cornerstone of both Al-Hilal's lineup and the Saudi national team. He is distinguished by his exceptional playmaking abilities, his skill in dribbling in tight spaces, and his knack for scoring decisive goals. His return means Al-Hilal has regained one of its most lethal weapons on the wings, giving the coach a wider range of tactical options to break down the expected defensive formations of opponents in the Riyadh match.
The stands of the "Kingdom Arena" are expected to witness a large public turnout to celebrate the return of the fans' favorite star, and to support the team to continue making history in an exceptional season for Saudi football.
