The underdog from Harmah that stunned the giants of Qatar
In short: In the world of Saudi football, Al Faisaly FC serves as a masterclass in defying expectations. From a regional debut to a historic upset against two-time continental champions, the club's journey illustrates how a persistent underdog can seize the spotlight of Asian football.
Based in Harmah, Al Faisaly FC was named in honor of King Faisal, who served as crown prince at the time of the club's founding. The club's path to the Saudi Pro League was marked by a 'yo-yo' period in the mid-2000s; they became the first club from the Sudair region to reach the top flight in 2005–06, only to be relegated immediately after a single season.
They eventually secured a more stable foothold by winning the first division title in 2009–10, leading to a twelve-season tenure in the top flight that ended in 2022. The club's modern era is defined by a rapid ascent in prestige. After reaching their first-ever King Cup Final in 2018—where they lost 3–1 to Al Ittihad—they achieved a historic breakthrough in the 2020–21 season.
By defeating Al Taawon 3–2, they secured their first top-flight title and their first-ever King Cup trophy. A standout moment of this campaign was Júlio Tavares scoring a hat-trick to seal the victory, which also granted the club its first qualification for the AFC Champions League. Al Faisaly's most remarkable feat occurred during their 2022 AFC Champions League debut. Despite being the underdog, they pulled off a stunning 2–1 upset against the Qatari giants Al Sadd, who had won the continental title twice before. Al Faisaly went on to top Group E with a record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss, eventually reaching the Round of 16 before falling 1–0 on aggregate to the Iranian side Foolad.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Al Faisaly FC
- Also: Al-Faisaly FC
- Also: Wikidata — Al-Faisaly SC · CC0
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