Mohammed Al-Owais: The contrast between national team and Al-Hilal

Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais is experiencing a tale of two different worlds. While he has become a symbol of reliability for the Saudi Arabia national team, his time at Al-Hilal has been marked by frustration. In a recent match against a Qatari opponent, Al-Owais conceded as early as the eighth minute—the third time he has been beaten in just three appearances for the club this season.

His only clean sheet for the club this campaign came during a King's Cup match against Al-Raed. In contrast, his league appearance against Neom resulted in two goals conceded, contributing to the only defeat Al-Hilal has faced this season. These difficulties stand in sharp contrast to his international form, where he has kept six consecutive clean sheets.

His recent international run includes crucial World Cup qualifiers and a triumphant campaign in the Arabian Gulf Cup, where he was rightfully named the tournament's best goalkeeper. Returning to Al-Hilal last summer, Al-Owais arrived with the ambition of reclaiming the starting spot from Morocco's Yassine Bounou.

However, the reality has been starkly different, as he remains firmly behind the Moroccan in the pecking order. With limited appearances, Al-Owais now faces the prospect of spending the remainder of the season on the bench, a situation that could jeopardize his status as the first-choice goalkeeper for his country.