A Derby Warning: Al Hazm Coach Takes Shot at Al Hilal Before Riyadh Showdown
8 January 2026
Ahead of the Riyadh Derby
Ahead of the Riyadh derby, Jalal Qadri, head coach of Al Hazm, warned Al Hilal about the danger posed by a fast, attack-minded side in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Hilal had beaten Al Hazm 3-0 earlier this week at Kingdom Arena in the 14th round.
In the post-match press conference, Qadri said: "Hilal's attacking power forced us to defend, and we were short of players due to injuries." Amir Sayoud had returned from the Arab Cup injured and, while ready to play, is currently limited to around 30 minutes.
He added that Hilal's strong individual technical abilities can help them move forward if his team presses, and he conceded that, in the end, Hilal deserved the victory. He explained that Hilal presses with a large number of players and that the surprise factor comes when they overload the flank; any mental lapse can swing the result.
The coach finished by warning that his side missed speed and the finishing touch at times, and that teams with quick forwards in the final third could trouble Hilal. All of this comes as Hilal prepares to host neighbor Al Nassr on Monday at Kingdom Arena in the 15th round, a fixture considered among the league's toughest.
Al Nassr are blessed with pacey players who can catch a defense out, such as Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, according to the discussion around the derby. In short, the upcoming derby promises intensity and strategic challenges for both clubs, with lessons drawn from the analysts and the previous meeting.
For Al Hazm, the task remains to minimize risk and capitalize on any moments of hesitation in midfield. For the fans, the match is a reminder that in football, derbies still write the headlines, even when the standings hint at a clear favorite.
