RIYADH: As the Kingdom celebrates its National Day, its footballers, both local and international, will this year turn their attentions to Saudi Arabia’s oldest and most iconic competition, the King’s Cup.
On Sept. 23, 2023, the first Saudi National Day to be celebrated since the influx of foreign superstars to the nation’a top clubs, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and many others marked the occasion by dressing in traditional Saudi attire and posting the results on their socials media accounts.
The display of inclusivity was hailed in Saudi Arabia as a sign that these players, some of the world’s finest arriving from Europe’s top clubs, were embracing their new lives in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and beyond.
This year, Al-Hilal have released a video celebrating the day which includes, among other players, Brazilian stars Neymar and Malcom.
Meanwhile, ahead of their Saudi Classico with champions Al-Hilal on Saturday night, Al-Ittihad’s official account on X posted a image showing the team’s superstars Benzema and N’Golo Kante in national dress and holding up swords.
But on Monday, thoughts will turn to the serious business of the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup, with a full program of fixtures being completed on the following two days.
Perhaps it is appropriate that the day of celebrating Saudi achievements will see nationwide action in the historic competition that allows the country’s less heralded clubs the chance to cause an upset against the elite of the Saudi Pro League.
The pick of the matches on Sept. 23 is perhaps the visit of Ronaldo and Al-Nassr to Al-Hazm, the team that was relegated from the top tier at the end of last season. Al-Nassr will be hoping to go one better than last season when they lost the final to Al-Hilal
Jeddah giants Al-Ahli will welcome Al-Jandal to Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, while Ettifaq will host Al-Adalah club in Dammam. Also taking place are Al-Fayha against Al-Batin and Al-Tai against Khaleej Club.
On Tuesday, the current holders of the King’s Cup and reigning SPL champions Al-Hilal begin their defence of the trophy with a visit to Al-Bukiryah, where an upset will go down as one of the biggest in the history of Saudi football.
Al-Ittihad will hope to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Al-Hilal in th Saudi Classico with an expected win over Al-Ain in Jeddah, while Al-Shababwill travel to fellow SPL club Al-Kholood. Rounding up the days matches will be Al-Jabalan against Al-Fateh
The line-up for the Round of 16 of the competition will be completed on Wednesday four matches: Al-Najma vs. Daman, Abha vs. Al-Taawoun, Al-Safa vs. Al-Riyadh and Jeddah Club vs. Al-Raed.
Each of the fixtures have a clear underdog hoping to cause the shock of the round, and in some cases produce the finest result in their history.