Bounou Injury Compounds Al-Hilal’s Challenges Ahead of Al-Taawoun Match

Al-Hilal’s week has gone from bad to worse. Three days after a shock defeat to Neom, the league leaders are sweating over the fitness of their first-choice goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.

The Moroccan star missed Wednesday’s group training session through injury, just 72 hours before Al-Hilal head to Buraidah to face Al-Taawoun in the seventh round of the Saudi Roshn League.

The club announced that Bounou attended the medical clinic at the Al-Majidiyah sports centre after suffering a hamstring issue. The problem dates back to Monday’s clash with Neom at Kingdom Arena in the sixth round, a game he sat out as Mohammed Al-Owais stepped in.

Al-Owais could not prevent Al-Hilal from slipping to a clean 2-0 defeat, a result that jolted a side used to dictating the pace domestically.

Physiotherapy specialist Thamer Al-Shahrani has moved quickly to calm fears, describing Bounou’s injury as minor and not a serious concern. The timing, though, is awkward. With the trip to Al-Taawoun looming, the Moroccan’s availability remains uncertain and adds another layer of anxiety to an already tense build-up.

Despite the turbulence, Al-Hilal still sit on top of the Saudi League table with 15 points from five wins and one defeat, edging Al-Qadsiah on goal difference.

They travel to Buraidah still in control of the title race on paper. Whether they arrive there with their main goalkeeper between the posts is the question hanging over Al-Zaeem’s week.