Al Owais’ Al Hilal return turns sour as Saudi form continues to shine

Mohammed Al Owais’ return to Al Hilal has brought a sharp contrast to his recent international success, with the Saudi Arabia goalkeeper conceding three goals against Al Shamal in the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday.

Al Hilal travelled to Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor for the third round of the league phase, but found themselves behind after only eight minutes. Wesley Said opened the scoring for the Qatari side with a powerful, low left-footed shot from inside the penalty area.

Al Shamal doubled their advantage three minutes after half-time. Riyad Mahrez delivered a low cross which fellow Algeria international Baghdad Bounedjah converted past Al Owais in the 48th minute.

Mahrez was involved again shortly afterwards, sending a free-kick cross into the penalty area. Tunisia midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane headed the ball into the net in the 54th minute to make it three.

The goals took the number conceded by Al Owais to five in his three appearances for Al Hilal since the beginning of the current season.

His only clean sheet came in a 2-0 victory over Al Raed in the last 32 of the King Cup in August. He then started against Neom in the sixth round of the Saudi Pro League, conceding twice in a match which resulted in Al Hilal’s first defeat of the season.

A different story with Saudi Arabia

Al Owais’ club difficulties have come during a period in which he has been outstanding for Saudi Arabia.

The goalkeeper has kept six consecutive clean sheets for the national team, beginning with the match against Cape Verde in the third round of the group stage at the 2026 World Cup.

He also went unbeaten in terms of goals conceded across all five of his appearances for Saudi Arabia at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, which ended with the Green Falcons winning the title.

Those performances earned Al Owais the award for the tournament’s best goalkeeper.

He returned to Al Hilal during the last summer transfer window, having spent one season away from the club. His move back followed his strong displays at the 2026 World Cup and was accompanied by hopes of continuing his international form at club level.

Al Owais’ biggest ambition was to reclaim the starting position at Al Hilal from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Instead, he has remained Bounou’s deputy since the start of the season and has appeared in only three matches, keeping just one clean sheet. The latest goals conceded against Al Shamal have made his prospects of displacing the Moroccan even more difficult.

Al Owais could now spend the remainder of the season as a substitute for Al Hilal, potentially making it harder for him to retain his place in Saudi Arabia’s starting line-up and remain with the national team.