Captain of Al-Khulood, Hattan Bahbari, stated that his team's ambition is to continue pursuing the grand dream of winning the King's Cup and to honorably greet the sponsor of the final match. The team is also striving to stay in the Saudi Pro League. This was mentioned during his conversation with the newspaper "Okaz," where he discussed various matters related to Al-Khulood Club in the current season and expressed his hopes for the Saudi national team in the 2026 World Cup.
In the beginning of his talk, Bahbari pointed out the secret behind his team’s victory over Al-Ittihad in the semi-finals of the King’s Cup, saying: "Thank God for our team Al-Khulood's victory over Al-Ittihad after a marathon match, where we succeeded in overcoming a big team like Al-Ittihad with team spirit. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and then we won 5-4 on penalties, which made the fans of Al-Khulood happy to qualify for the final against Al-Hilal for the King’s Cup."
Event Details
Regarding Al-Khulood's ability to win the King’s Cup, Bahbari said: "We know that Al-Hilal is one of the big teams and has the best foreign and local players, but football knows no impossible. We will work to respect the opponent and prepare well for the final match, and we will do our utmost to perform at a high level and strive for victory."
He added: "The team spirit at Al-Khulood has contributed to the team reaching the final match, in addition to the professional work from the board of directors and the coaching staff. Our goal is to achieve a historic achievement by winning the most prestigious local cup and ensuring Al-Khulood's place in the Saudi Pro League."
Background & Context
On another note, Bahbari talked about being given the captain's armband for the team, considering it a sign of everyone’s trust in him, which increases his responsibility and motivates him to deliver outstanding performance. He also mentioned that choosing to pursue a professional experience with Al-Khulood was a pivotal decision, as he preferred to join the club in light of the excellent management and suitable environment.
Bahbari confirmed that he is in a good technical and psychological state with Al-Khulood, thanks to the appropriate atmosphere within the club and the moral support from his family and friends. He also highlighted the importance of the Brazilian fitness coach who assists him in performing special exercises.
Impact & Consequences
Regarding his absence from the current Saudi national team list, Bahbari stated: "I am at the national team’s disposal at any time, and the decision is in the hands of the coaching staff. I am working well with Al-Khulood and hope for success for our national team in the 2026 World Cup."
About the Saudi national team's group in the World Cup, he pointed out that the group includes strong teams like Spain and Uruguay, which requires good preparation to achieve a commendable presence. He emphasized the importance of the support the national team receives from wise leadership and the Minister of Sports.
Regional Significance
The participation of the Saudi national team in the 2026 World Cup is considered an important event that reflects the development of football in the Kingdom and enhances its sports status in the region. Additionally, the success of Al-Khulood in reaching the King’s Cup final reflects the progress of Saudi clubs and their ability to compete for titles.
In conclusion, Bahbari expressed his gratitude to the newspaper "Okaz" for its continuous communication, wishing success and prosperity to all its staff.