Al-Qadisiyyah Football Club: A Saudi Arabian Football Powerhouse
Overview
Al-Qadisiyyah Football Club (Arabic: نادي القادسية لكرة القدم) is a professional football club based in the city of Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1967, the club competes in the Saudi Professional League, the top tier of Saudi Arabian football.
History
Early Years and Rise to Prominence
Al-Qadisiyyah FC was founded in 1967 through the merger of two local clubs, Al-Omran and Al-Nakheel. In its early years, the club played in the lower divisions of Saudi Arabian football.
However, in the 1980s, Al-Qadisiyyah began to rise through the ranks, winning promotion to the Saudi Professional League in 1986. The club quickly established itself as a force in Saudi football, winning its first league title in 1987.
Era of Dominance
From the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, Al-Qadisiyyah FC experienced a period of dominance in Saudi football. The club won four league titles during this time span (1987, 1989, 1990, and 1994) and also achieved success in domestic cup competitions.
Recent Years
In recent years, Al-Qadisiyyah FC has continued to be a competitive force in Saudi football, although it has not been able to match the success of its earlier years. The club has won the King's Cup three times (2002, 2009, and 2012) and the Crown Prince Cup once (2019).
Stadium
Al-Qadisiyyah FC plays its home matches at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Khobar. The stadium has a capacity of over 25,000 spectators and was built in 1987.
Rivalry
Al-Qadisiyyah FC's main rival is Al-Ettifaq FC, another club based in Al-Khobar. The rivalry between the two clubs is known as the "Eastern Derby" and is one of the most intense rivalries in Saudi Arabian football.
Notable Players
Over the years, Al-Qadisiyyah FC has had a number of notable players, including:
- Majed Abdullah (Saudi Arabia)
- Abdullah Al-Dosari (Saudi Arabia)
- Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (Saudi Arabia)
- Nasser Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia)
- Ahmed Al-Fraidi (Saudi Arabia)
Honors
Al-Qadisiyyah FC has won the following honors:
- Saudi Professional League (5): 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2002
- King's Cup (3): 2002, 2009, 2012
- Crown Prince Cup (1): 2019
- Saudi Federation Cup (1): 2002
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