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Dutch Whistle Sets Stage for Hilal’s Roshen Pro League Clash

26 December 2025

Dutch Whistle Sets Stage for Hilal’s Roshen Pro League Clash
Dutch referee-led crew to officiate Hilal vs Gulf in Roshen Pro League

Officials for Roshen Pro League Week 11

The Saudi Football Federation's referees committee announced the officiating crews for Friday's Roshen Pro League Week 11 matches across Saudi stadiums.

The spotlight match, Hilal against Gulf at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, will be led by a Dutch head referee, Serdar Gozyuyuk, with Erwin Zeinstra and Patrik Inya as assistants and will be broadcast locally.

Abdullah Zarban of Saudi Arabia is the fourth official; in VAR, Paul van Boekel and Rogier Honig will operate for that game.

The Dutch referee Serdar Gozyuyuk has previously officiated Saudi matches, including last season's Roshen Pro League and matches in the current campaign.

The whistle hints that this could be a win for Hilal, yet the whistle might still surprise players and fans alike.

Past Encounters with the Dutch Referee

In that clash last season, Hilal triumphed 3-0, with goals by Salem Al-Dosri (two) and Alexander Mitrović; no penalties or red cards and three yellow cards in total (two to Hilal, one to Gulf).

This season, the Dutch official also oversaw a match between Al Qadisiyah and Al Khaleej: Al Qadisiyah won 4-0, and a penalty was awarded. And this follows his recent Saudi assignments.

Punchline 1: If officiating were a sniper’s job, the only thing sharper than the whistle would be the manager’s dramatic sideline stare.

Punchline 2: And if VAR ever tells a joke, it’ll pause for effect, then still miss the punchline—twice, just to be sure the popcorn is ready.

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Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will officiate the Hilal vs Gulf match?

A Dutch-head referee will lead the game, with Erwin Zeinstra and Patrik Inya as assistants; Abdullah Zarban is the fourth official, and VAR is handled by Paul van Boekel and Rogier Honig.

Where is the match played?

The game takes place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

What past results are cited in relation to the Dutch referee?

The referee has previously overseen Saudi matches, including last season’s Roshen Pro League, and other fixtures in the current campaign, such as a Round 8 match between Al Qadisiyah and Al Khaleej where a 4-0 result occurred and a penalty was awarded.