Al-Hilal Captain Al-Dawsari Ruled Out of Club World Cup with Hamstring Injury

Al-Hilal's captain, Salem Al-Dawsari, will be unable to participate in the remainder of the Club World Cup due to a hamstring injury. The Saudi Arabian club confirmed this unfortunate news on Saturday, impacting their chances in the tournament.

Following the injury, medical tests were conducted to assess the severity of the situation. The results confirmed a hamstring injury, necessitating a structured treatment and rehabilitation program. The club anticipates a recovery period lasting between four to six weeks, effectively ruling Al-Dawsari out of the remaining matches.

This setback means Al-Dawsari will miss the crucial round of 16 clash scheduled for Monday against the formidable Manchester City. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team as they navigate the knockout stages.

Al-Dawsari had been a pivotal figure in Al-Hilal's campaign throughout the Club World Cup. He played a significant role in their success, including scoring the opening goal in their 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday. This match was a crucial part of the third round of the group stage.

The victory over Pachuca was instrumental in securing Al-Hilal's qualification for the last 16. The team, who have won the Asian Champions League four times, finished second in Group H, behind the highly-regarded Real Madrid. His leadership and on-field contributions will be sorely missed as Al-Hilal strives to progress further in the competition. The team will now need to adjust their strategy and rely on other players to fill the void left by their captain's absence.