Al-Ettifaq FC(Arabic:نادي الاتفاق لكرة القدم,romanized:nādī al-ittifāq li-kurat al-qadam,lit. 'Agreement Football Club') is a professionalfootballclub inDammam,Saudi Arabia. It was established by the merger of three Dammam-based clubs in 1945. Al-Ettifaq were the firstSauditeam to win an international title – the 1984 Arab Club Champions Cup. They were also the first to win the Saudi Premier League without any defeats, and the first Saudi team to win theGCC Champions League.Al-Ettifaq have a total of 13 titles to their name. The club also has its ownfutsalsection.
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| Full name | Al-Ettifaq Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | FarisAd-Dahna(The Knight of Ad-Dahna) The Commandos | |||
| Founded | 1945 | |||
| Ground | Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium Dammam,Saudi Arabia | |||
| Capacity | 15,000[1] | |||
| Owner | Ministry of Sports of Saudi Arabia | |||
| Chairman | Samer Al-Misehal | |||
| Manager | Steven Gerrard | |||
| League | Pro League | |||
| 2023–24 | Pro League, 6th of 18 | |||
| Website | ettifaq | |||
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History
editHumble beginning (1941-1953)
editBefore the establishment of Al-Ettifaq as a professional sports club that also managed football, there were three clubs in the city ofDammamthat were founded in 1941. Al-Taawoun (different fromAl-Taawounfrom Buraydah city), Al-Sha'ab and Al-Shabab. These clubs began practising their own sporting activities and gathering the people across the region; however, these clubs are hardly gaining any revenue for the sport activity to continue.
4 years later in 1945, the presidents of the club and its staff met inFaris Al-Hamid'shouse,the ministry of sportat the time. They discussed the solution for their problem, the result of this meeting was to merge all three clubs in Dammam into one single unified club. The ministry would fund the newly merged club and get its share of ownership. Al-Hamid also suggested at the time to name the new club as "Al-Ettifaq" (الاتفاقal-ittifāq), which meant "the agreement" in Arabic.
The club's original color will also change, the new colors would be green and white, which eventually changed into green and red afterwards.[2]Some time laterMohammed Hassan KhairifromSudanbecame the new club manager. In the early years of the club, the energetic and ambitious coach fromAfricastart to reform the sport club from Dammam
First King Cup and Crown Prince Cup (1954-1971)
editAl-Ettifaq saw some success in the domestic championship of the 1960s. One of his most decisive decisions was to sign the most prolific Ettifaqi playerKhalil Al-Zayani.In 1962, the senior team new playerwingback/centerback(defence) are just 15 years old boy barely graduating from youth team Academy. The young Zayani had to adjust between his education and professional football career. At the time nationwide football league are not yet implemented and regional league and tournament occasionally held. Nevertheless, the manager intuition to entrust club defense role to the young boy prove correct, when the club for the first time managed to overcome their adversities and reach the final in1963 Crown Prince Cup.
Al-Ettifaq face their final opponent in the national tournament,Al-Ittihadin their home ground (Jeddah). Loud cheers echoes from the opposing supporters after Al-Ettifaq defeated 6–2. The club run for1963 King Cupis less successful from their Crown Prince Run.1963-1964 Saudi Seasonend with Al-Ittihad securing their double title again after defeating their rivalAl-Hilal.
The young boy talent are tested once again in 1964-1965 Saudi football season, when barely 16 years old defender are selected by Khairi as the captain squad. The manager recognize his vision prowess in the field and charisma. Khairi encourage the squad to aim high for the new record, he wanted for his coached player to raise occasional Regional League cup,King Cupand Crown Prince Cup at the same time or as we know as "treble".
The now fully matured 17 years old Defender captain walk his first step to become nation football champion, when he secured his club back at the final matchCrown Prince Cupagainst Al-Ittihad at the same pitch. The deafening voice of Ittihad supporter become silence as his club taking revenge for the crushing defeat almost 3 years earlier. The sport club from Dammam lift their first ever trophy with triumph. However Ettifaq failed to win the King Cup on that season in whichAl-Ahlifrom the same city as Al-Ittihad went victorious.
In1964-1965 Saudi Seasoneven though Ettifaq won a national trophy, they fall short to achieve their treble goal. Meanwhile, for the young Zayani, around this time he is scouted to be part ofSaudi National Team.Some of Ettifaq player also constitute part of the Eastern Team who compete under Crown Prince Cup new regulation and they managed to reach final in1966-1967 Saudi Season.
On1966 King Cup,in the final Al Ettifaq defeated byAl-Wehdaand in1967 King Cup,tasted defeat again by Al-Ittihad. For the third times in a row reaching final, Al-Ettifaq finally raise their first everKing Cupafter defeating the defending champion in previous tournament. On the next seasons however, Al-Ettifaq defeated by new challenger and Al-Ahli become the winner of King Cup in that season. Hassan Khairi retired from the club activity after coaching Ettifaqi player for over 1 decade.
Al-Zayani keep playing as the club player until 1971 and retired from Saudi National Team in 1973, completely retiring from football the age of just 26 years old. In his career he managed to reach 5 finals in different competition and win 2 trophies for his club. Khalil Al-Zayani played his entire club career for Al-Ettifaq.
Champion from Dammam (1972-1989)
editSharp decline in 1970s
editAfter Khairi and Zayani departure, Al-Ettifaq never the reach the final of national tournament. Slowly the condition inside the club become worrisome, Saudi Ministry of Sport then offer the 29 years old retired ex-player, to coach the club and also prepare the club for implementation of planned national league. Al-Ettifaq would be main representation from the city of Dammam.
Zayani agree to step up and took managerial role. At this time nationwide league are newly established with 8 clubs registered. Al-Ettifaq only eligible to play in second-tier of the Saudi League,First Division Leagueand only able to make into 2nd place just behindAl-Nahda.The winner and runner-up at that time are promoted intoSaudi Premier League.
Al-Ettifaq are promoted in the second edition of the league in1977-1978 Saudi Premier League.In their first run in highest tier of league national, Al-Ettifaq finish 3rd place behindAl-Nassrin 2nd place and Al-Hilal as league champion. In the 1978–1979, Al Ettifaq finish in 6th position, 1979-1980 they finish again the same position and in 1981-1982 Ettifaqi finish in 5th position. In this period the club never won any singgle competition for over a decade except for getting promotion into Saudi Premier League.
Regardless of the setbacks, Zayani still confident to continue his predecessor ambition to secure the treble for club. The former defender began to implemented new tactics and shaping new core player, once the majority squad from 1970s started to retiring. His new winning strategy are applied by promising academy players promoted from the youth teams.
Saudi Premier league and Gulf Club Cup Championship
editThe club new youth players catch the attention of the nation when1982–83 Saudi Premier Leaguebegan on 16 December 1982. Some of the most recognized forwards such asJamal MohammadandOmar Bakhashwainmade their debut in this season. Al-Ettifaq are undefeated in their run by the end of season in April 1983. First Saudi football club to ever do so. The club had nine wins and eight draws with a match left to conclude the season. Going into the final matchday,Al-Hilalwere leading the table with 1 point ahead of Al-Ettifaq.
The two teams would face their city rivals in the final matchday on separate days. On 7 April 1983, Al-Ettifaq defeatedAl-Nahda2–0. This meant that Al-Hilal needed just a draw againstAl-Nassrto secure the title, as they were ahead of Al-Ettifaq on goal difference as well. On 8 April 1983, Al-Nassr defeated Al-Hilal 2–1 to hand Al-Ettifaq their first league title. Al-Ettifaq also became the first team fromDammamto win the title.Khalil Al-Zayanialso became the first Saudi Arabian manager to win the league title and Jamal Muhammad managed to reach 3rd position in top scorer table behindKhalid Al-Ma'ajilin 2nd place andMajeed Abdullahas the league golden boot winner.
After winning the league, city of Dammam that are located in Saudi East Coastline are invited in the 2nd editionGulf Club competitionbyArabian Gulf countries.Al-Ettifaq are among the 12 team that listed in the competition. The last decisive match will be played by the club that reach the 1st position in tha chart table which is Al-Ettifaq andAl-ArabifromKuwait.Ettifaqi defeat their opponent in foreign soil ofKhalifa International Stadium,Doha,Qatar,gaining the honour for the first Saudi team to win non-domestic title and their first regional title.
Temporary replacement of Zayani
editKuwaitvictory against all odds in1980 Asian Cupbring the wind of change in the national team. Saudi targeted the nextAsian Cupand1984 Summer OlympicsinLos Angeles,subsequently Al-Zayani who coach Al-Ettifaq are the most suitable candidate to managed the country strategy. Zayani temporarily left the club in March 1984, immediately replacingMario Zagalloone ofPeleteammates in the ongoing7th Arabian Gulf Cuptournament after the former Brazilian forward defeated byIraq4–0.
In Zayani absenceChico Formigawas brought in fromSantos FCas a replacement and preparing the squad for1984 Arab Club Champions Cup,it is held in 1984 because in the previous year the championship are postponed for technical reason. Al-Ettifaq are pitted by 3 other team in one group stage which are:Kenitra ACfromMoroccowinner ofBotola Pro,West RiffafromBahrainwinner ofBahraini Premier LeagueandAl-Ansar FCfromLebanon.Al-Etiffaq barely beat Kenitra by just 1 point difference after defeating Al-Ansar in their homebase and prevail to achieve their first treble, by securing 1 domestic title and 2 regional title.
In the next season, Chico plan to achieve his first domestic title. On the start of1985 King Cup,Al-Hilal are the defending champion, Al-Ettifaq faceAl-Shababat the round of 16 with the result of 1–0. In the next round they defeatedAbha FC2–0, the club went draw against Al-Ahli 1–1 in which Ettifaq defeat Ahli at the penalty shootout 4–5. Al-Ettifaq face the defending champion in their homebase atRiyadh.Abo Haidarare the first to score whileAl-Nayfawyequalize, until the extra time end the score is still 1-1. Bakhashwain andAl-Dughaimscored the decisive penalty goal and went victorious with 4–3, Al-Ettifaq won their second king cup title.
Double regional title
editChico managed the club in 1986-1987 Saudi Premier League until halfway of season. The former prolific center back ofPalmeirasare replaced by Al-Zayani to coach Al-Ettifaq for the second time. Winning the1986–87 Saudi Premier Leagueonce again in his first season back, and the1988 Arab Club Champions Cuptogether with the1988 Gulf Club Champions Cupin his second season.
1989 AFC Champions League
editAl-Ettifaq qualified for the 1989 AFC Champions League after winning1988 Gulf Club Champions Cup.In their first campaign Al-Ettifaq reached the semi-final. On 11 October 1988 Al-Ettifaq managed to defend their first position after equalizing their score and againstApril 25fromNorth Korea1-1. In the next match of 13 October 1988 however, they are eliminated after they fall in 2nd position after defeated byAl-Sadd SCfromQatar2–1, the eventual champion of that year.
Honours
edit- Saudi Professional League(level 1): 2
- First Division(level 2): 2
- Champions:2015–16
- Runners-up: 1976–77
- King Cup:2
- Crown Prince Cup:1
- Champions: 1965
- Runner-up: 1963, 2000–01, 2007–08,2011–12
- Saudi Federation Cup:3
- Champions: 1990–91, 2002–03, 2003–04
- Runner-up: 1986–87, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2004–05
- General League Shield
- Runner-up:1968–69
- Arab Club Champions Cup:2
- GCC Champions League:3
Current squad
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Other players under contract
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Management staff
edit| Position | Name |
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| Manager |  Steven Gerrard
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| Assistant Manager | Michael Beale Darren Davies Tarik Makhnass
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| Technical Coach | Tom Culshaw
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| Goalkeeping Coach | Andy Firth John Achterberg Artur Guedes
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| Analyst | Ray Shearwood
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| Fitness Coach | Jordan Milsom
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| Doctor |  Basil Ribeiro
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| Sporting Director | Mark Allen
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| Head of Scouting | Thomas Spring
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Managerial history
editNote: The table is currently being updated.
| 1944–69 | ||
| 19??–69 |  Mohammed Hassan Kheiri
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| 1974–76 | Ted Copeland
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| 1976–78 |  Khalil Al-Zayani
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| 1979–80 | ||
| 1980–84 | Khalil Al-Zayani
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Won the1982–83 Saudi Premier Leagueand the1983 Gulf Club Champions Cup |
| 1984–86 | Chico Formiga
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Won the1984 Arab Club Champions Cupand the1985 King Cup |
| 1986–90 | Khalil Al-Zayani
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Won 3 titles |
| 1990–91 | Procópio Cardoso
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| 1991–93 | ||
| July 1, 1993 – June 30, 1995 |  Wojciech Łazarek
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| 1994–96 | Khalil Al-Zayani
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| 1996–97 | ||
| 1997 | João Francisco
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| 1997–99 | ||
| 1999–00 | Khalil Al-Zayani
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| 2003–04 | Jan Versleijen
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| Jan 1, 2004 – May 30, 2004 |  Jorge Habegger
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| 2005–06 | Ednaldo Patricio
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| 2006–07 |  Ammar Al-Suwayeh
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2006 Gulf Club Champions Cup(winner) |
| July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 | Toni
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2007 Gulf Club Champions Cup(runner-up) |
| Jan 8, 2009 – June 8, 2009 |  Ioan Andone
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Achieved club's best performance in theAFC Champions League(round of 16) |
| Oct 23, 2009 – March 23, 2011 | Ion Marin
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| March 23, 2011 – June 30, 2011 | Youssef Zouaoui
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| July 22, 2011 – April 30, 2012 |  Branko Ivanković
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| 2012 | Ammar Al-Suwayeh
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| July 1, 2012 – Sept 25, 2012 |  Alain Geiger
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| Sept 26, 2012 – June 13, 2013 | Maciej Skorża
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| July 1, 2013 – Oct 1, 2013 |  Theo Bücker
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| Sept 30, 2013 – Oct 26, 2013 | Eusebiu Tudor
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| Oct 26, 2013 – Feb 13, 2014 |  Goran Tufegdžić
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| Feb 13, 2014–July, 2014 | Ioan Andone
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| July 2014 – Feb 17, 2015 |  Beñat San José
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| (2015) | Gheorghe Mulțescu
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| (2015–16) | Reinhard Stumpf
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| (2016) | Djamel Belkacem
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2015–16 Saudi First Division |
| (2016) | Eelco Schattorie
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| (2016–2017) | Juan Carlos Garrido
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| (2017) | Miodrag Ješić
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| (2017–2018) | Saad Al-Shehri
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| (2018) |  Leonardo Ramos
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| (2018–2019) | Sergio Piernas
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| (2019) | Hélder
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| (2019–2021) | Khaled Al-Atwi
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| (2021–2022) | Vladan Milojevic
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| (2022–2023) |  Patrice Carteron
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| (2023) | Antonio Cazorla
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| (2023– ) | Steven Gerrard
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Performance in AFC competitions
edit- Asian Club Championship:1 appearance
- Asian Club Championship 1989:
- Qualifying Round: Al Ettifaq qualified to theAsian Club Championshipafter winning theGCC Champions League,ending top of the group that consisted ofKazma(Kuwait),Al Sharjah(UAE),Fanja(Oman), andWest Riffa(Bahrain).
- Semi-final (group stage): Al Ettifaq finished second in their group after losing their penultimate game against the eventual champions, Qatari sideAl-Sadd(2–1) in a highly controversial game. Apart from the two clubs, the group containedApril 25 SC(North Korea),Mohammedan SC(Bangladesh), andPahang(Malaysia).[5]
- Asian Club Championship 1989:
- AFC Champions League:2 appearances
- AFC Champions League 2009:
- Group Stage – Round of 32: Al Ettifaq was arguably one of the best performers in the group stage after finishing top of the group with 12 points. They won 4 games, lost 2, and scored 15 goals in 6 games, recording the third best attacking stats in the continent in that round. Al Ettifaq were placed in Group D alongFC Bunyodkor(led by Brazilian aceRivaldo),Sepahan Isfahan,andAl Shabab (UAE).
- Round of 16: Al Ettifaq were knocked from the Round of 16 againstPakhtakor(UZB). After leading 1–0 at halftime, they conceded two late goals that ended their hopes in qualifying to the quarter-final.[6]
- AFC Champions League 2012:
- The draw was held on 6 December 2011 in the Malaysian capitalKuala Lumpur.[7]
- Al Ettifaq were placed in the second round of the qualifying stages, playing against the winner of the two Iranian sides:Esteghlal Tehran FCandZob Ahan Isfahan FC.
- Al-Ettifaq lost the one-off game played on 18 February 2012 in Iran againstEsteghlal Tehran FCand eventually went directly to the group stages of the2012 AFC Cup.
- AFC Champions League 2009:
- AFC Cup:1 appearance
- AFC Cup 2012:
- After failing to qualify to the group stage of the2012 AFC Champions League,Al-Ettifaq qualified automatically to the2012 AFC Cup,and were drawn in Group C withKuwait SCof Kuwait,Al Ahedof Lebanon, andVB Sports Clubof the Maldives.
- Al Ettifaq started the competition as favorites and a strong candidate to win the competition, winning 5–1 in their first group game againstKuwait SCin Kuwait. The second game was frustrating to the Saudis as they drew in their own stadium 0–0 withAl Ahed.They defeated the underdogs of the groupVB Sports Clubby 6–3 in the Maldives and 2–0 in the reverse fixture. Al Ettifaq sealed their promotion with a 2–2 draw againstKuwait SCbefore finishing the group with a 3–1 victory in Lebanon againstAl Ahed.
- Al Ettifaq finished off their season with a hard-fought 1–0 victory against Omani sideAl-Suwaiq SCin the Round of 16 to progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
- AFC Cup 2012:
International competitions
editOverview
edit- As of 1 May 2013
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Club Championship/AFC Champions League | 18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 32 | 23 |
| AFC Cup | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | 23 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 25 |
| GCC Champions League | 33 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 45 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 85 | 43 | 21 | 21 | 142 | 91 |
Record by country
edit| Country | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Algeria
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1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 0.00 |
 Bahrain
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7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 57.14 |
 Bangladesh
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Egypt
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 50.00 |
 Indonesia
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2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Iran
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3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 33.33 |
 Iraq
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1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Jordan
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1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Kuwait
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14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 42.86 |
 Lebanon
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4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 50.00 |
 Malaysia
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Maldives
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2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 100.00 |
| Morocco
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4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 75.00 |
 North Korea
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1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Oman
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8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 87.50 |
 Qatar
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10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 11 | −1 | 30.00 |
 Palestine
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1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100.00 |
| Saudi Arabia
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2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 50.00 |
| Tunisia
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2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 0.00 |
 United Arab Emirates
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11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 45.45 |
 Uzbekistan
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5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 40.00 |
 Yemen
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2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 50.00 |
Matches
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^https://aawsat /%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9/%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9/4595341-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%80%C2%AB%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF%C2%BB-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9[bare URL]
- ^"تاريخ النادي".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-07-12.Retrieved2023-06-15.
- ^"النادي | رابطة الدوري السعودي للمحترفين".spl.sa.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-01-19.Retrieved2020-02-16.
- ^"الفريق الأول".Archivedfrom the original on 2019-07-12.Retrieved2020-02-16.
- ^Asian Club Championship 1989 – Schedule & ResultsArchived2016-03-03 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^AFC Champions League 2009 – Schedule & Results,Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^AFC Champions League 2012 – Draw,Retrieved 9 December 2011.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Official news website(archived)