Morocco’s FIFA World Cup stars Hamdallah and Mohamedi make a special Roshn Saudi League contribution
The exploits of Morocco at FIFA World Cup 2022 will live long in the memory.
The Atlas Lions thrilled billions by reaching the semi-finals. This run was no fluke, going undefeated against the likes of Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal before finally being felled by France.
Fans in Saudi Arabia were cheering them on, especially those of Al Ittihad and Al Wehda who were represented in the history making Morocco squad by striker Abderrazak Hamdallah and goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi.
Hamdallah was introduced as a second-half substitute against the French. His goal-scoring prowess prompted coach Walid Regragui to bring him on with the team 1-0 down and in need of something special.
He would proceed to see a shot, agonisingly, cleared off the line.
Fans in Saudi Arabia would have recognised how the 32-year-old comes alive in the area.
He has been the most prolific striker in Roshn Saudi League since he joined in August 2018, netting 98 times during 99 games for Al Nassr and Al Ittihad.
Such feats make the 2018-20 Golden Boot winner a contender to be the most-feared striker performing in Asia.
There has, also, been no lull post-World Cup. Hamdallah has netted five times in six top-flight matches, as Al Ittihad target a first Roshn Saudi League trophy since 2009.
He also produced a double against Al Fayha to secure victory in Januaryโs Saudi Super Cup final.
Since Qatar, Mohamedi has kept two clean sheets in four appearances as his employers continue to successfully move away from the relegation zone.
In total, Al Wehda have conceded just 13 goals in his 12 top-flight run-outs since a summer switch from Turkeyโs Hatayspor. Impressive for a newly-promoted team.
The 33-year-old was, largely, on the bench for Morocco supporting Sevillaโs Yassine Bounou.
But when needed by his nation in Group F against Belgium, he excelled.
An emergency call was made just after the national anthems, Bounouโs injury being deemed too severe to perform at Al Thumama Stadium.
Within five minutes, Mohamedi was saving shots from Eden Hazard and then went on to frustrate Kevin De Bruyne. None of the star-studded Red Devils could find a way past the Al Wehda goalkeeper.
Such excellence was no surprise to regular viewers of Roshn Saudi League.