The technical staff of Al-Hilal Saudi Club announced the official list and starting lineup with which the team will play its anticipated match this evening against its counterpart Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE, within the competitions of the AFC Champions League, in a match awaited by fans of Asian and Gulf football.

Surprises in the lineup... Mendesh and Simon are starters

The official squad list for Al-Hilal held pleasant surprises for the club's fans, as the coach decided to include the newly signed duo, Simon and Sultan Mandash, in the starting lineup for the first time since joining the team during the recent winter transfer window. This bold move aims to bolster the Blue team's attacking and defensive options and inject fresh blood capable of making a difference in major continental matches.

Details of Al-Hilal's official lineup

The coaching staff has settled on the following names to represent the team in this important match:

• Goalkeeper: Mathieu.
• Defense line: Hassan Tambakti, Mari, Akchichik.
• Midfield: Sergej Savic, Murad Hawsawi, Theo Hernandez, Darcy.
• Attack line: Sultan Mandash, Simon, Nunez.

Al-Hilal and the challenge of the AFC Champions League Elite

This match holds special significance as it falls within the AFC Champions League, the premier club competition in Asia under its new name and format. Al-Hilal, the record holder for the most Asian titles, aims to reaffirm its continental dominance and continue its winning streak. The inclusion of established stars like Savic and Nunez, alongside new signings, reflects the coaching staff's desire to secure an early victory and send a strong message to their rivals that Al-Hilal is ready to compete for the title.

The importance of the meeting and the expectations of the fans

Matches between Saudi and Emirati clubs are always considered a "Gulf derby," characterized by intense rivalry and excitement. Al-Hilal hopes to secure three points with this balanced attacking lineup to solidify their position in the standings and comfortably guarantee qualification for the knockout stages. Al-Hilal fans are eagerly anticipating the integration of new players, particularly Sultan Mandash and Simon, and how they will be tactically integrated alongside established stars like Theo Hernandez and Savic, promising a thrilling match worthy of both teams' reputations.

With 21 rounds of the Saudi Professional League for the 2025-2026 season completed, Greek star Kostas Fortounis has established himself as one of the brightest names in Saudi football, delivering exceptional performances with Al-Khaleej Club, becoming the main pillar on which the team relies to build its attacks and achieve victories.

The Fortunes Digital Impact: The Language of Goals and Industry

Fortounis's brilliance was no accident; it was the result of tireless work and exceptional talent. He is considered the most influential and effective player in Al-Dana's squad this season. Official statistics indicate that the Greek playmaker has participated in 18 out of 21 matches, leaving an indelible mark by scoring 7 crucial goals. However, Fortounis's true value lies in his role as the architect of attacking plays, providing 11 assists for his teammates, bringing his total goal contributions to 18 – a figure that reflects his high quality and consistent performance.

European experience in Saudi stadiums

Fortounis's brilliance with Al-Khaleej is rooted in a rich footballing background. Having graced European pitches, particularly with Greek club Olympiacos and the Greek national team, he brought his accumulated experience to the Roshan League. This experience helped him quickly adapt to the highly competitive atmosphere of the Saudi league, which now boasts a host of world-class stars. Fortounis's ability to read the game and control its tempo gave Al-Khaleej a clear tactical advantage over their opponents, confirming the club's success in acquiring such a top-class professional.

A pivotal role in an exceptional season for the Gulf

Fortunis played a pivotal and crucial role in the difficult moments the team faced this season. In matches characterized by the opponents' defensive tactics, Fortunis' individual brilliance and incisive passes proved key to unlocking defenses and securing three points. This performance directly contributed to strengthening Al-Khaleej's position in the standings, ensuring their safety and positioning in contention for higher spots, far removed from the complexities of relegation.

Looking ahead: The decisive moment is approaching

As the league enters its decisive stages, all eyes are on Fortounis to continue his impressive form. Al-Khaleej fans and sports analysts alike believe that the Greek star's continued brilliance will be the deciding factor in determining the team's final position. In short, Kostas Fortounis has embodied the complete player of the 2025-26 season, combining the goal-scoring instinct of a striker with the vision of a playmaker, making him truly Al-Khaleej's key player and one of the Saudi League's icons this year.

In a strategic move reflecting the long-term vision of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the assistant coaching staff of the national team launched a new phase of intensive preparations for upcoming international competitions, most notably the dream of qualifying for and competing in the 2026 World Cup . The coaching staff began this phase with an important meeting yesterday, Sunday, at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation headquarters, with Al-Nassr players nominated to represent the national team.

The meeting addressed detailed physical and technical aspects, with the assistant coaching staff explaining that the focus was on analyzing each player's individual physical characteristics and discussing the necessary nutritional and health programs. This scientific approach aims to ensure the highest levels of mental and physical readiness for the players, while emphasizing the importance of adhering to technical instructions as an integral part of a professional player's lifestyle.

These initiatives are not limited to Al-Nassr players; they are part of a series of scheduled meetings that will include players from Al-Hilal, Al-Shabab, Al-Riyadh, Al-Taawoun, and Al-Kholoud. This comprehensive plan aims to unify the technical vision between the national team and the clubs, ensuring complementary roles and avoiding fatigue or conflicting training programs, ultimately benefiting Saudi football.

The importance of early preparation for the 2026 World Cup

These preparations are particularly important given the nature of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature 48 teams for the first time. The Saudi national team, which boasts a distinguished World Cup history dating back to 1994, aims to move beyond mere participation and strive for a new achievement that matches or surpasses its heroic performance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, when the Green Falcons secured a historic victory against Argentina.

Integration between the league and the national team

This artistic movement reflects the significant development witnessed in Saudi sports, with the Roshan Professional League becoming one of the strongest leagues, raising the level of competition and positively impacting the performance of local players. These meetings emphasize the shared responsibility between clubs and the national team to cultivate a generation capable of competing with the world's best, by paying close attention to details such as nutrition, recovery, and performance analysis, thus ensuring a strong competitive presence befitting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's standing on the global sporting map.