Brace for Algeria: Injury Clouds Hover Over Saudi Camp Ahead of Friendly
16 November 2025
Injury clouds hover over Saudi camp before Algeria friendly
French coach Hervé Renard faces troubling news as he prepares his squad for a friendly against Algeria on Tuesday, part of the build-up to upcoming commitments.
Saudi Arabia is tuning up for the Arab Cup in early December, while Algeria eyes the Africa Cup of Nations in late December in Morocco.
The Saudi Football Federation announced that Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Green's striker and Al-Hilal forward, trained in a special session on Sunday due to muscular pains, under medical supervision.
His participation remains uncertain, and his absence from today’s training could significantly affect the Algeria match plan, with the final session due tomorrow evening.
Al-Hamdan was not the only one missing from the group session; midfielder Ziyad Al-Jehani of Al-Ahli also trained privately with the medical staff after missing recent sessions due to a cold.
Return of Aboud boosts options
Meanwhile, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud of Al-Ittihad returned to training after a muscular strain, giving the Saudi coach another option ahead of Algeria.
Saudi Arabia beat Ivory Coast 1-0 in a friendly at the Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, with Saleh Abu Al-Shamat scoring the winner for Al-Ahli. The victory adds optimism as Renard looks to sharpen the team before the Arab Cup.
Offensive depth and plans
Abdullah Al-Hamdan is one of Saudi football's most versatile attackers in recent years, able to play as a traditional striker or in a second forward role. He combines technical quality with intelligent movement and the ability to press high, which fits Renard’s style of quick ball recovery.
With Al-Hilal, he has shown adaptability across attacking roles, enabling him to influence play from multiple positions and to create opportunities for teammates.
He has developed in terms of teamwork and pressure handling, becoming more mature at receiving the ball under pressure and linking midfield to attack, making him a key piece in tough matches.
In the national team, his tactical discipline and readiness to execute the coach’s instructions are valuable in big games and during qualifying phases. He can stretch defenses and create space for others with constant movement and good positioning.
As he evolves, he is becoming one of the players whom both the club and the national team will rely on in the near future.
Chord connector
Zi ad Al-Jehani is a promising name in Saudi football, showing progress with Al-Ahli and the national teams in youth and senior levels. The midfielder is known for his ability to link lines, with precise passing and good ball retention, even in tight spaces. He also contributes defensively, pressing opponents and intercepting passes, making him suitable for a possession-based style.
For the national team, he has proven capable of performing tactical roles in both advanced midfield positions and deeper, more disciplined lines. He shows maturity despite relative international experience, using his movement to create additional solutions for the team in games requiring variety.
His value lies in his ability to contribute in multiple midfield roles, coupled with a calm personality and growing confidence, making him a rising talent for the Saudi setup and the national squad.
