Connect with us

World

Interview: Mohamed Rayhi ready to spring Al-Hilal cup upset


The beauty of football is its unpredictability, and this manifests itself perhaps in its truest form in knockout competitions when just 90 minutes can make all the difference between agony and ecstasy, no matter how big or small the club or team.

Al-Jabalain, a small club from the northwestern Saudi city of Ha’il, are the latest minnows hoping to secure a major upset on Monday when they face reigning champions Al-Hilal in the last-32 stage of the King Cup.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

While Al-Hilal claimed the trophy last season – their 10th triumph in the King Cup, with only Al-Ahli (13) winning more titles – Al-Jabalain have a much more modest history. Nicknamed Al-Bunni (The Brown), after the color of their kit, Al-Jabalain have only played in three previous seasons in the Saudi Pro League, with the last of those coming 38 years ago.

However, Al-Jabailan, coached by Frenchman Denis Lavagne, have enjoyed an impressive start to the Saudi First Division season and currently sit in fifth place on the table, hoping to earn their maiden promotion to the elite league in four decades.

Dutch winger Mohamed Rayhi has been a key figure in Al-Jabalain’s recent pursuit for glory, scoring in each of his first three games for the club after moving from UAE side Al-Dhafra earlier this summer and proving to be an influential signing so far this season.

Rayhi is on his second stint in Saudi Arabia, having previously played for Al-Batin, with whom he faced Al-Hilal four times and never lost. The Al-Jabalain No. 7 is hoping it may be a lucky omen ahead of Monday’s King Cup clash.

“Al-Batin was a smaller club and I think this shows that everything is possible in football,” Rayhi told Al Arabiya English ahead of the clash against Al-Hilal.

“We have started well in the league and I think here, in Saudi Arabia, the fans always think they have a chance. We are aware that it will indeed be difficult, but as players, we must also believe that we can win.”

Rayhi had honed his skills at the football academy in PSV, one of the Netherlands’ most iconic clubs, and played alongside some individuals who have made it to the top of European football.

These names include Atletico Madrid winger Memphis Depay, ex-Liverpool and PSG midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who now plays for Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, as well as Ajax captain Steven Bergwijn.

Against Al-Hilal, Rayhi may once again be surrounded by high-quality players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic and, of course, Neymar, who have all arrived in Riyadh in recent months.

With Al-Hilal in the middle of a busy schedule, some players could be rested for the King Cup, though Rayhi is hoping that the stars will feature against Al-Jabalain.

“It’s a very big game for us and now it is a little bit more special because you have more big names than before,” Rayhi said. “I want these players to be on the pitch.”

He further said: “For guys like us, it is very nice to be able to test ourselves against world-class players like Neymar, but we know there are others with, too, like Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinković-Savić who have helped their team improve.”

Fellow PSV academy graduate Wijnaldum is among a smattering of Dutchmen to have joined Rayhi in Saudi Arabia and the Al-Jabalain attacker says he is in regular touch with those players, discussing what life is like playing in the Kingdom. Rayhi said he is yet to convince former teammate Depay to swap La Liga with the Saudi Pro League, though he is still hopeful.

“I had played a lot with Memphis as we were in the youth team together and one could see how much talent he had. He will surely have a successful career. It’s not only about quality; he has a good temperament, too,” Rayhi said.

“Will he come to Saudi Arabia? Why not? In the beginning, everybody said players like him wouldn’t come, but look now how many are here. If Memphis has the right offer, I’m sure he will come.”

For now, Rayhi is preparing for the prospect of facing Neymar and with Al-Hilal’s star power a major draw, he is expecting a full house at Al-Jabalain’s 12,250-capacity Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa’ed Stadium on Monday night.

“Whenever any smaller club plays against Al-Hilal, you know that the fans will turn up in big numbers to see the stars,” Rayhi said, adding that he was sure the stadium would be full to the rafters.

“That will give us an extra bit of motivation. Fans are a big reason why I have enjoyed playing in Saudi Arabia. For the supporters, football is everything and they create a good atmosphere. Everybody follows football here in a way that I hadn’t seen in the Netherlands,” he further explained.

“Here, football is life and that gives you a good feeling to fight for your club,” Rayhi concluded.

Read more:

Al Nassr 4 Al Ahli 3: The takeaways from a high-scoring game

Meet the Saudi clubs chasing AFC Champions League glory

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

Continue Reading

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

Continue Reading

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

Continue Reading

Trending