Injury Shakes a Key Ittihad Star as King’s Cup Quarterfinal Looms

Injury hits a key Ittihad star ahead of the King’s Cup quarterfinal

Al-Ittihad’s Algerian forward Houssam Awar sustained a significant muscle injury just days before the King’s Cup quarterfinal against Al-Shabab. The match is set to take place at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, and the timing means he will miss the game, with a recovery window of about two weeks. Fans and staff alike are hoping for a swift return—preferably with fewer dramatic plot twists than a weekend soap opera.

Saudi newspaper Al-Jazirah reported on Friday that Awar’s injury is unexpected and will keep him out of the cup tie against the Lions. The medical bulletin describes a muscular issue that will require careful rehabilitation, aiming for a gradual return to training and match fitness in the coming weeks.

In addition to Awar, the list of players unavailable for the trip includes Ahmed Al-Jalidan, Moussa Diaby, Muath Faqih, and Saad Al-Mousa. Awar had featured for 60 minutes in the recent AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al-Duhail before being substituted, a reminder that one tough afternoon can lead to a tougher week for squad planners.

The squad’s injury woes come as the team prepares for a crucial showdown, with Conceicao weighing his options to retain balance without two foreign regulars—Diaby and Awar—one suspended and the other sidelined by injury.

The injury situation adds pressure on the Portuguese coach, who has faced criticism from sections of the fanbase for recent results. Conceicao’s task is to assemble a lineup that can compete against Al-Shabab while navigating the absence of key abroad players and the need to protect fresh legs for future fixtures.

Conceicao postponed finalizing the matchday squad until after the team’s training session on Friday, aiming to maximize tactical balance. Winning the King’s Cup would be a major morale boost for Al-Ittihad, especially after a dip in domestic league form and previous cup disappointment. The tournament offers a chance to salvage a difficult campaign and remind supporters there’s more to football than a calendar full of losses and coffee-fueled tactical boards.

Punchline 1: If injuries were a sniper’s target, they'd miss every time—probably because the striker kept moving and the doctor kept laughing.

Punchline 2: Conceicao’s lineup decisions are so precise that even his coffee mug has a game plan. If form were a mask, the cup would be the reveal moment.