Saudi Pro League: Underdogs Al Taawoun out to topple leaders Al Hilal

When Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal welcome third-placed Al Taawoun to the King Fahd International Stadium on Friday evening it will not only be a vital match in the title race, but also a fascinating clash of styles between two clubs who have forged their way to the top in contrasting fashion.

Al Taawoun are the older club, albeit by just one year, having been founded in 1956 in the agricultural heartland of Saudi Arabia that is Al Qassim region, while Al Hilal came into existence in the capital Riyadh in 1957, but that is very much where Al Taawoun’s historical superiority finishes.

Friday’s hosts have firmly established themselves as Saudi Arabia’s most successful club, producing national legends such as 1988 Asian Cup winning captain Saleh Al Nuaimah, Saudi Arabia’s all-time top scorer in the World Cup, Sami Al Jaber, and the nation’s most capped player in history, goalkeeper Mohammed Al Deayea.

In terms of foreign players, Al Hilal have always attracted the biggest names to the league – from the arrival of World Cup winner Rivellino in 1978 to the capture of Brazil’s all-time top scorer Neymar earlier this year. This has formed part of the club’s DNA alongside its constant obsession with winning the AFC Champions League, which they lifted on four occasions, more than any other team in Asia.

In contrast, for most of their history, Al Taawoun were not even the biggest team in the 750,000-resident city of Buraidah, often competing in the lower tier of Saudi football while their neighbours Al Raed enjoyed extended spells in the top division.

This started to change in 2010-11 when they achieved promotion to the Saudi Pro League for the first time and never looked back, qualifying for the AFC Champions League three