Get to know Roshn Saudi League’s Al Fayha: The Cup specialists with a strong Serbian core
Al Fayha are an outfit who’ve made a big impression.
Since the club from Riyadh Province’s first Saudi Pro League promotion for 2017/18, they’ve managed to win a King’s Cup and battle their way to this term’s Saudi Super Cup final.
Currently sat 10th, hopes exist they can edge into the top half during the coming weeks and months.
Learn all about them below.
THE PLAYERS
Their most-recognisable names come from a Serbian contingent formed at Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium, including goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and striker Milan Pavkov.
The former has played for the likes of Nantes, Sporting Lisbon and Nottingham Forest during his storied career. Plus, won more than 80 caps and been selected for three FIFA World Cup squads.
The latter has UEFA Champions League experience and scored both goals in a famous Red Star Belgrade win over Liverpool in 2018.
Aleksandar Trajkovski is a North Macedonia international, previously playing for the likes of Palermo and Mallorca. He famously scored the goal which eliminated Italy from the qualifiers for the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
With Paulinho on loan from Al Shabab there is a Brazilian pair with Ricardo Ryller, while Spaniard Victor Ruiz and Nigeria’s Anthony Nwakaeme add substantial attacking threat.
THE COACH
Dortmund-born Vuk Rasovic is a former Yugoslavia international who is in his second stint in Saudi Arabia. The 50-year-old led Partizan Belgrade to the 2012/13 Serbian title and previously managed Al Faisaly.
Rasovic oversaw last year’s King Cup win and will be targeting future domestic cup success with a talented squad.
2022/23
Currently around the middle of the pack and safe enough from the threat of relegation, Al Fayha will be looking to push on during the final third of the season.
Tough to beat at home, they paid the price for a disappointing October run and are repairing the damage done. They have been in superb shape since December’s resumption after World Cup 2022.
THE HISTORY
The 2021/22 King’s Cup winners, Al Fayha have been dining at the top table of Saudi football on and off since their 2016/17 promotion when they won the second-tier title.
The club turns 70 this year and are establishing themselves in Roshn Saudi League, ensuring they will be hungry for even-more success after last year’s landmark penalty shootout win over Al Hilal.
THE STADIUM
With Al Majma’ah Sports City Stadium holding 7,000 spectators, it is among the smallest venues by capacity in the league.
Formerly known as King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Sport City Stadium, second-tier Al Faisaly and third-tier Al Mujazzal also share its use. Few teams find it easy on their travels to Al Majma’ah, which is approximately 200 kilometres north of the capital.