Al Hilal received a rapturous welcome home following their runner-up finish at the Fifa Club World Cup.
The Saudi Arabian side, the current Asian champions, were beaten 5-3 by European counterparts Real Madrid in Saturday’s final in Morocco.
Hilal had already made history at the tournament, becoming the first Saudi Arabian team to reach the Club World Cup showpiece. Their previous best performance was third, in 2019 and 2021.
Speaking after the final in Rabat, Hilal manager Ramon Diaz said: "I have to congratulate my players. It was a tough, difficult game, but we showed that we have class and that we deserved to get here. I also thank the people for their support and who watched us - we hope we put on a good show.”
Madrid’s victory came courtesy of doubles from Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde, while the returning Karim Benzema was also on the scoresheet. Hilal forward Moussa Marega had halved the deficit midway through the first half, with teammate Luciano Vietto striking twice in the second half.
Hilal had last week beaten South American champions Flamengo in the semi-final to set up the clash against Madrid.
On competing against the Spanish giants, who now have a record-extending five Club World Cup titles, Diaz said: “When you have an opponent of this category, they put you under pressure due to the quality of the players they have. In general terms we didn't make so many mistakes, but the quality of the opponent creates chances for you and makes them happen to you.
“But it's not easy to score three goals against Real Madrid - that's why I'm proud. All the people of Al Hilal surely are. I'm very happy for the quality, for the attitude, for scoring three goals and competing until the end.”
Hilal returned to Riyadh on Sunday, where they were greeted at the airport by Saudi minister of sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal and other dignitaries. The squad and staff then were presented on stage in the city in front of thousands of supporters, where Diaz addressed the crowd, along with some of the team’s senior players.
Currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League – they have games on hand on their title rivals – Hilal resume the defence of their crown on Wednesday, away to Al Fayha. A win would take them to within two points of the summit.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
