Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the upcoming Gulf Cup 27 have been dealt a blow, with the team’s only overseas-based player, Saud Abdulhamid, facing a likely absence from the tournament due to injury.
The 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup is set to kick off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on September 23 and will run until October 6.
According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Abdulhamid, who plays as a full-back for French club Lens, is expected to miss out on the Green Falcons’ squad because of an injury sustained recently with his club.
Abdulhamid has missed Lens’s last three matches in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League due to a blood clot in his thigh muscle.
The newspaper indicated that the Saudi defender needs a recovery period of 10 to 14 days, which reduces the likelihood of his participation in the tournament that begins in just 10 days.
As a result, Greek coach Georgios Donis, the manager of the Saudi national team, will need to search for a new alternative to fill the right-back position during the competition.
Abdulhamid becomes another injury casualty for Gulf Cup 27, following captain Salem Al-Dawsari, the Al-Hilal star, who has also been ruled out. Al-Dawsari has not played any matches since the start of the current season.
Saudi Arabia is entering the Gulf Cup with the aim of reclaiming the title, having last won it 23 years ago in 2003.
The Green Falcons are placed in Group A alongside Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.