AFC Champions League clash shows why Al Hilal skipper Salem Al Dawsari is still their big-game leader | Saudi Football News
Salem Al-Dawsari once again underlined his value to Al Hilal with a composed, team-first display in the 2–2 draw against Al Qadisiyah on September 13, 2025. The 34-year-old winger and club captain completed the match and posted a modest average rating of 6.7, a reflection of an “okayish” night rather than a failure. While the final numbers show no goals and no assists, the match data (by FotMob and Opta) paints a clearer picture. Al-Dawsari completed his passes with exceptional accuracy, moved into useful positions inside the box, and helped knit Al Hilal’s play together when the team needed calm leadership. In a game where moments of individual brilliance were rare, his intelligent positioning and control of tempo were important ingredients in securing a point for the hosts.
Salem Al-Dawsari still pulling strings for Al Hilal at 34
Salem Al Dawsari (Image via Getty)
On paper the box score looks underwhelming: no goals, no assists, and a low shot count. Yet stats show subtler contributions that matter in tight fixtures. Al Dawsari completed 34 of 36 passes (around 94% accuracy), touched the ball 56 times, and worked his way into the opposition box a handful of times. His expected assists (xA) were about 0.27, and his non-penalty xG was 0.06; combined, that xG+xA figure (roughly 0.33) suggests he was close to producing clearer chances even if the final pass or finish didn’t come off. Those metrics point to someone still thinking one step ahead, creating openings or drawing defenders so teammates can exploit spaces.Defensively and in transition, he offered useful support. The data shows recoveries and at least one interception, and he was fouled a couple of times, small indicators of his influence in duels and his ability to unsettle the opposition. Conversely, some traditional attacking outputs were missing: dribble success was poor (0/3), crosses were largely unsuccessful (0/7 completed), and his offensive output in terms of shots was minimal. In short, this was the veteran operator rather than the high-tempo winger of his younger days. He didn’t flash in highlights, but he helped keep structure and composure in a game where Al Hilal needed both.
Al-Dawsari’s decision-making is the key
For Al Hilal, the immediate takeaway is practical: the team gained a point from a match they might easily have lost had they relied solely on moments of individual genius. For Salem Al Dawsari personally, the night was a reminder of what makes him indispensable beyond scoring: decision-making, passing efficiency, and leadership that steadies a team when fixtures are tight. At 34, he may no longer be expected to be the constant creator by volume, but his presence still changes how opponents defend and how his teammates move. That quiet influence, even without goals or assists, was worth at least one point on the night.
