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| Full name | Al-Ettifaq Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | FarisAd-Dahna (The Knight of Ad-Dahna) The Commandos | |||
| Founded | 1945; 80 years ago (1945) | |||
| Ground | Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium Dammam,Saudi Arabia | |||
| Capacity | 15,000[1] | |||
| Owner | Ministry of Sports of Saudi Arabia | |||
| Chairman | Samer Al-Misehal | |||
| Head coach | Saad Al-Shehri | |||
| League | Saudi Pro League | |||
| 2023–24 | Pro League, 6th of 18 | |||
| Website | ettifaq | |||
 Current season | ||||
Ettifaq Club orAl-Ettifaq FC (Arabic:نادي الاتفاق لكرة القدم,romanized: nādī al-ittifāq li-kurat al-qadam,lit. 'Agreement Football Club') is a professionalfootball club inDammam,Saudi Arabia.
The club was established by the merger of three Dammam-based clubs in 1945. Al-Ettifaq were the firstSaudi team to win an international title – the 1984 Arab Club Champions Cup. They were also the first to win the Saudi Premier League without any defeats, and the first Saudi team to win theGCC Champions League. Al-Ettifaq have a total of 13 titles to their name. The club also has its ownfutsal section.
Before the establishment of Al-Ettifaq as a professional sports club that also managed football, there were three clubs in the city ofDammam that were founded in 1941. Al-Taawoun (different fromAl-Taawoun from Buraydah city), Al-Sha'ab and Al-Shabab. These clubs began practising their own sporting activities and gathering the people across the region; however, these clubs are hardly gaining any revenue for the sport activity to continue.
4 years later in 1945, the presidents of the club and its staff met inFaris Al-Hamid's house,the ministry of sport at the time. They discussed the solution for their problem, the result of this meeting was to merge all three clubs in Dammam into one single unified club. The ministry would fund the newly merged club and get its share of ownership. Al-Hamid also suggested at the time to name the new club as "Al-Ettifaq" (الاتفاقal-ittifāq), which meant "the agreement" in Arabic.
The club's original color will also change, the new colors would be green and white, which eventually changed into green and red afterwards.[2] Some time laterMohammed Hassan Khairi fromSudan became the new club manager. In the early years of the club, the energetic and ambitious coach fromAfrica start to reform the sport club from Dammam
Al-Ettifaq saw some success in the domestic championship of the 1960s. A key decision was to sign the most prolific Ettifaqi playerKhalil Al-Zayani in 1962, graduating from youth team Academy, as awingback/centerback (defender) at just 15 years old. The young Zayani had to balance his education and professional football career. At the time a nationwide football league was not yet implemented and regional leagues and tournaments were only occasionally held. Nevertheless, the manager's decision to entrust the defense role to the young boy proved correct, as the club for the first time managed to overcome their adversities and reach the final of the1963 Crown Prince Cup.
Al-Ettifaq face their final opponent in the national tournament,Al-Ittihad in their home ground (Jeddah). Loud cheers echoes from the opposing supporters after Al-Ettifaq defeated 6–2. The club run for1963 King Cup is less successful from their Crown Prince Run.1963-1964 Saudi Season end with Al-Ittihad securing their double title again after defeating their rivalAl-Hilal.
The young boy talent are tested once again in 1964-1965 Saudi football season, when barely 16 years old defender are selected by Khairi as the captain squad. The manager recognize his vision prowess in the field and charisma. Khairi encourage the squad to aim high for the new record, he wanted for his coached player to raise occasional Regional League cup,King Cup and Crown Prince Cup at the same time or as we know as "treble".
The now fully matured 17 years old Defender captain walk his first step to become nation football champion, when he secured his club back at the final matchCrown Prince Cup against Al-Ittihad at the same pitch. The deafening voice of Ittihad supporter become silence as his club taking revenge for the crushing defeat almost 3 years earlier. The sport club from Dammam lift their first ever trophy with triumph. However Ettifaq failed to win the King Cup on that season in whichAl-Ahli from the same city as Al-Ittihad went victorious.
In1964-1965 Saudi Season even though Ettifaq won a national trophy, they fall short to achieve their treble goal. Meanwhile, for the young Zayani, around this time he is scouted to be part ofSaudi National Team. Some of Ettifaq player also constitute part of the Eastern Team who compete under Crown Prince Cup new regulation and they managed to reach final in1966-1967 Saudi Season.
On1966 King Cup, in the final Al Ettifaq defeated byAl-Wehda and in1967 King Cup, tasted defeat again by Al-Ittihad. For the third times in a row reaching final, Al-Ettifaq finally raise their first everKing Cup after defeating the defending champion in previous tournament. On the next seasons however, Al-Ettifaq defeated by new challenger and Al-Ahli become the winner of King Cup in that season. Hassan Khairi retired from the club activity after coaching Ettifaqi player for over 1 decade.
Al-Zayani keep playing as the club player until 1971 and retired from Saudi National Team in 1973, completely retiring from football the age of just 26 years old. In his career he managed to reach 5 finals in different competition and win 2 trophies for his club. Khalil Al-Zayani played his entire club career for Al-Ettifaq.
After Khairi and Zayani departure, Al-Ettifaq never the reach the final of national tournament. Slowly the condition inside the club become worrisome, Saudi Ministry of Sport then offer the 29 years old retired ex-player, to coach the club and also prepare the club for implementation of planned national league. Al-Ettifaq would be main representation from the city of Dammam.
Zayani agree to step up and took managerial role. At this time nationwide league are newly established with 8 clubs registered. Al-Ettifaq only eligible to play in second-tier of the Saudi League,First Division League and only able to make into 2nd place just behindAl-Nahda. The winner and runner-up at that time are promoted intoSaudi Premier League.
Al-Ettifaq are promoted in the second edition of the league in1977-1978 Saudi Premier League. In their first run in highest tier of league national, Al-Ettifaq finish 3rd place behindAl-Nassr in 2nd place and Al-Hilal as league champion. In the 1978–1979, Al Ettifaq finish in 6th position, 1979-1980 they finish again the same position and in 1981-1982 Ettifaqi finish in 5th position. In this period the club never won any single competition for over a decade except for getting promotion into Saudi Premier League.
Regardless of the setbacks, Zayani still confident to continue his predecessor ambition to secure the treble for club. The former defender began to implemented new tactics and shaping new core player, once the majority squad from 1970s started to retiring. His new winning strategy are applied by promising academy players promoted from the youth teams.
The club new youth players catch the attention of the nation when1982–83 Saudi Premier League began on 16 December 1982. Some of the most recognized forwards such asJamal Mohammad andOmar Bakhashwain made their debut in this season. Al-Ettifaq are undefeated in their run by the end of season in April 1983. First Saudi football club to ever do so. The club had nine wins and eight draws with a match left to conclude the season. Going into the final matchday,Al-Hilal were leading the table with 1 point ahead of Al-Ettifaq.
The two teams would face their city rivals in the final matchday on separate days. On 7 April 1983, Al-Ettifaq defeatedAl-Nahda 2–0. This meant that Al-Hilal needed just a draw againstAl-Nassr to secure the title, as they were ahead of Al-Ettifaq on goal difference as well. On 8 April 1983, Al-Nassr defeated Al-Hilal 2–1 to hand Al-Ettifaq their first league title. Al-Ettifaq also became the first team fromDammam to win the title.Khalil Al-Zayani also became the first Saudi Arabian manager to win the league title and Jamal Muhammad managed to reach 3rd position in top scorer table behindKhalid Al-Ma'ajil in 2nd place andMajeed Abdullah as the league golden boot winner.
After winning the league, city of Dammam that are located in Saudi East Coastline are invited in the 2nd editionGulf Club competition byArabian Gulf countries. Al-Ettifaq are among the 12 team that listed in the competition. The last decisive match will be played by the club that reach the 1st position in tha chart table which is Al-Ettifaq andAl-Arabi fromKuwait. Ettifaqi defeat their opponent in foreign soil ofKhalifa International Stadium,Doha,Qatar, gaining the honour for the first Saudi team to win non-domestic title and their first regional title.
Kuwait victory against all odds in1980 Asian Cup bring the wind of change in the national team. Saudi targeted the nextAsian Cup and1984 Summer Olympics inLos Angeles, subsequently Al-Zayani who coach Al-Ettifaq are the most suitable candidate to managed the country strategy. Zayani temporarily left the club in March 1984, immediately replacingMario Zagallo one ofPele teammates in the ongoing7th Arabian Gulf Cup tournament after the former Brazilian forward defeated byIraq 4–0.
In Zayani absenceChico Formiga was brought in fromSantos FC as a replacement and preparing the squad for1984 Arab Club Champions Cup, it is held in 1984 because in the previous year the championship are postponed for technical reason. Al-Ettifaq are pitted by 3 other team in one group stage which are:Kenitra AC fromMorocco winner ofBotola Pro,West Riffa fromBahrain winner ofBahraini Premier League andAl-Ansar FC fromLebanon. Al-Etiffaq barely beat Kenitra by just 1 point difference after defeating Al-Ansar in their homebase and prevail to achieve their first treble, by securing 1 domestic title and 2 regional title.
In the next season, Chico plan to achieve his first domestic title. On the start of1985 King Cup, Al-Hilal are the defending champion, Al-Ettifaq faceAl-Shabab at the round of 16 with the result of 1–0. In the next round they defeatedAbha FC 2–0, the club went draw against Al-Ahli 1–1 in which Ettifaq defeat Ahli at the penalty shootout 4–5. Al-Ettifaq face the defending champion in their homebase atRiyadh.Abo Haidar are the first to score whileAl-Nayfawy equalize, until the extra time end the score is still 1-1. Bakhashwain andAl-Dughaim scored the decisive penalty goal and went victorious with 4–3, Al-Ettifaq won their second king cup title.
Chico managed the club in 1986-1987 Saudi Premier League until halfway of season. The former prolific center back ofPalmeiras are replaced by Al-Zayani to coach Al-Ettifaq for the second time. Winning the1986–87 Saudi Premier League once again in his first season back, and the1988 Arab Club Champions Cup together with the1988 Gulf Club Champions Cup in his second season.
Al-Ettifaq qualified for the 1989 AFC Champions League after winning1988 Gulf Club Champions Cup. In their first campaign Al-Ettifaq reached the semi-final . On 11 October 1988 Al-Ettifaq managed to defend their first position after equalizing their score and againstApril 25 fromNorth Korea 1-1. In the next match of 13 October 1988 however, they are eliminated after they fall in 2nd position after defeated byAl-Sadd SC fromQatar 2–1, the eventual champion of that year.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach |  Saad Al-Shehri |
| Assistant Coach |  Michael Beale Majeed Ali Tarik Makhnass |
| Technical Coach | Mohammed Al-Bishi |
| Goalkeeping Coach |  Artur Guedes |
| Analyst |  Miguel Álvarez Sánchez |
| Fitness Coach | Omar Al-Dosari |
| Doctor |  Basil Ribeiro |
| Second Physical Trainer |  Sabry El Hadary |
| Sporting Director | Sultan Al-Dosari |
| Head of Scouting | Thomas Spring |
| Director Of Youth Football | Ahmed Al-Hanfoosh |
Note: The table is currently being updated.
| Competition | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Club Championship /AFC Champions League | 18 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 32 | 23 |
| AFC Cup | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 13 |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | 23 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 25 |
| GCC Champions League | 33 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 45 | 30 |
| TOTAL | 85 | 43 | 21 | 21 | 142 | 91 |
| Country | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Algeria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Bahrain | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 057.14 |
 Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Egypt | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | +0 | 050.00 |
 Indonesia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Iran | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 033.33 |
 Iraq | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 000.00 |
 Jordan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 000.00 |
 Kuwait | 14 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 042.86 |
 Lebanon | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 050.00 |
 Malaysia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
 Maldives | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 100.00 |
| Morocco | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 075.00 |
 North Korea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 000.00 |
 Oman | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 087.50 |
 Qatar | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 11 | −1 | 030.00 |
 Palestine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 100.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 050.00 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 000.00 |
 United Arab Emirates | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 045.45 |
 Uzbekistan | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 040.00 |
 Yemen | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 050.00 |
| Preceded by | GCC Champions League Runner-up:Al-Arabi 1983 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | GCC Champions League Runner-up:Kazma 1988 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | GCC Champions League Runner-up:Qadsia SC 2006 | Succeeded by |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | |
|---|---|
| Arab Unified Club Championship | |
| Arab Champions League | |
| UAFA Club Cup | |
| Arab Club Championship | |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | |
