Why Al Fateh's great escape was 'one of best seasons experienced' | OneFootball

So perilous was the position that Al Fateh found themselves in January, it was going to take something pretty special to survive.

The club from Al Ahsa sat dead last as the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League resumed after the winter break, with a single win from their opening 15 fixtures. While time was on their side, form wasn’t.

Understandably, few could’ve predicted the turnaround in form Al Fateh would produce in the second half of the season - especially after Al Hilal put nine past them in mid-January to worsen their misery.

By Matchweek 20, they still only had three wins on the board and thus remained rooted to the foot of the table. At that point, relegation looked an almost-foregone conclusion. Just surviving would’ve been an achievement.

However, not only did Al Fateh survive; they thrived.

Having won one of those first 15 games, they concluded the season by triumphing in 10 of the next 19. The run included victories against champions Al Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and top-four chasing Al Shabab.

It represented a remarkable turnaround that is only possible from a squad that has an intrinsic spirit inside of it. It was that togetherness that club president Mansour Al Afaleq praised in the aftermath of Al Fateh securing their top-flight status.

“We are capable of achieving great things with the continued support from everyone,” Al Afaleq explained to the RSL. “We have had the fifth highest attendance this season - and not just this year, but consistently, year after year.

“Even during the difficult start to this season, the fans stood by the team. The entire ecosystem we’ve built here over the years has been exceptional.

“In a football club, creating a family-like environment is crucial to success. From the management, the locker room, the technical staff, the medical team, the administrative staff, the players, the fans, and even the media - when everyone works together in harmony, great achievements follow.

“I truly hope we can accomplish even greater things in the coming season.”

Al Afaleq also paid tribute to departing captain Mohammed Al Fuhaid, who called it a day after a 20-year career with his hometown club that started with the youth team - when he was 12 years old.

“Mohammed Al Fuhaid is our legendary captain,” Al Afaleq said. “He has been with us for the past 20 years, dedicating his entire career to our club. He has served with loyalty and passion, and he was there to witness our championship triumphs and trophies.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for all his efforts and commitment over the years. On behalf of all Al Fateh fans, we sincerely thank him for everything he has done.

“This club will always be his home, his family, and his place, God willing, for ever.”

They’re comments that speak to a real togetherness inside Al Fateh, which doesn’t include just those within the club, but those who support them.

Al Fateh fans are among the best in Saudi Arabia, and the way they continued to support their side through thick and thin undoubtedly played a role in them staying up.

The supporters ensured that a trip to Al Fateh Club Stadium was never an easy one, even for the best teams in the league. Wins against Al Ittihad and Al Nassr are testament to that.

“Al Fateh’s supporters are among the best in Saudi Arabia, no doubt,” Portuguese defender Jorge Fernandes said after last-month’s season-closing victory against Al Nassr.

“The home stadium is always full. Even in our last away game in Damac - a very long trip - we had fans who travelled 17 hours by bus. Without a doubt, they are amazing supporters, and we have to thank them for their support.

“Being able to play against big teams, standing toe-to-toe with them and even winning - our home games were a reflection of that.

“Despite everything, we know we also had some less good matches, but that’s part of the process. The most important thing is that the club stays in the [RSL] and that we are all recognised for the season we had.”

Fernandes, a winter-window addition from Portugal's Vitoria de Guimaraes, added: “It was a complicated season, full of challenges. I arrived in January, and we were in a difficult situation: at the bottom of the table with few points.

“We managed to put together an incredible comeback, and the whole team deserves congratulations. I think this victory, against a great team [Al Nassr], is like the cherry on top of the cake for the season we had.”

They are sentiments shared by teammate, Moroccan international Marwane Saadane, who is one of the veterans of the side having arrived in 2019.

“We went through tough moments, but now we can truly feel that we are a team, a very good team,” he said.

“For our opponents, it’s hard to take all three points when they come here. That’s the team spirit. I’ve been here for seven years, and this is one of the best seasons I’ve experienced.”