Al-Hilal, Ramon Diaz hoping familiarity can lead to success

LONDON: Al-Hilal are hoping that Ramon Diaz’s familiarity with Saudi Arabian football means he can hit the ground running, with two huge games in his first week in charge.

There is a league clash against Riyadh rivals Al-Shabab on Thursday followed by the King’s Cup final against even bigger Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr four days later. Win both and the situation will be looking much brighter. Losing both does not bear thinking about.

The Argentine succeeds Leonardo Jardim, who left the defending champions on Monday, and returns to the seat he occupied from October 2016 to February 2018. That was enough time in Riyadh for the 62-year-old to learn all about the expectations and demands at the 17-time Saudi champions.

Jardim was given his marching orders primarily because of poor league performances and results that have left Al-Hilal in fourth place and a massive 16 points behind leaders Al-Ittihad who have played only two games more.

Being so far behind was always going to be dangerous for the man who led Monaco to the 2017 French title. By the time the game with Al-Shabab kicks off, Ittihad, who have won their last 10 league games, could easily have defeated Al-Taawoun and opened up a 19-point gap over their rivals. Regardless of what the Tigers do, Al-Hilal have to defeat their neighbors if they are to have any chance of staying in touch with the title race.

And it is not just about the title, but also getting into the AFC Champions League places. Missing out on the top three for the first time since 2004 is a real possibility. A loss against Al-Shabab would leave the Blues 12 points behind the second-placed team, with three games in hand.

Victory on Thursday then is essential but will be far from easy against a team