Al Fateh
Al Fateh Sports Club is a Saudi Arabian multi-sports club based in Al-Mubarraz, Al-Ahsa, founded with its football section primarily known for competing in professional leagues. The club plays their home matches in Al-Ahsa and currently competes in the Saudi Professional League. Their most notable achievement came in the 2012-13 season when they became Saudi League champions, marking one of the greatest surprises in Saudi football history, and they also won the inaugural Saudi Super Cup in 2013.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Al Fateh Sports Club is a Saudi Arabian multi-sports club based in Al-Mubarraz, Al-Ahsa. The club is mainly known for its professional football section and derives its nickname from the fact that almost all of its sections play in the national top flights. Unlike their city rivals Hajer FC, Al Fateh spent most of their existence playing in the lower divisions.
Most recent season and achievements
Al Fateh qualified for the 2017 AFC Champions League after Al-Ittihad, who finished 3rd in the 2015-16 Saudi Professional League, could not participate due to club licensing requirements. As the league's 5th place finisher, Al Fateh entered the qualifying play-offs and defeated Nasaf Qarshi 1-0 to advance to the group stage.
History
Early years
Al Fateh have played in the lower divisions for most of their existence, in contrast to their rivals and city neighbours Hajer FC who achieved promotions to the top flight in the 80's, 90's and 2000's.
Successful period
The club hired Tunisian head coach Fathi Al-Jabal in the middle of the 2007-08 Saudi First Division League. In the 2008-09 season, Al-Jabal guided the team to a runners-up finish, securing Al Fateh's first ever promotion to the Saudi Professional League. The club successfully stayed up in their inaugural top flight season.
In the following two seasons, Al Fateh built a formidable squad around talented homegrown players such as Hamdan Al-Hamdan and Mohammed Al-Fuhaid. They also acquired the services of Congolese forward Doris Fuakumputu and former Al-Nassr attacking midfielder Élton.
Crisis and recovery
Al Fateh pulled off a major surprise on 14 April 2013, winning their first League title with 2 games to spare following a 1-0 home victory over Al-Ahli. This achievement made Al Fateh the seventh club to win the Pro League and is considered one of the greatest shocks in Saudi football history, especially considering they had only been promoted to the Pro League four years earlier. This marked the first time a club outside the Riyadh and Jeddah clubs won the Saudi Professional League since the 1986-87 season.
Élton won the Player of the Season award with 11 goals and 10 assists, while Doris Fuakumputu scored 17 goals to lead Al Fateh to the title. Later, they faced Al-Ittihad in the inaugural Saudi Super Cup. After a 2-2 draw in regular time, Élton scored the winning goal in the 111th minute of extra time, giving Al Fateh a 3-2 victory and making them the inaugural Saudi Super Cup champions.
Current period
Al Fateh advanced to the 2014 AFC Champions League group stage in their debut campaign as 2012-13 Saudi Professional League champions. However, they crashed out of the group stage with a record of 2 draws and 4 losses, failing to win a single match.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Saudi Pro League (tier 1) - Winners (1): 2012-13
Saudi First Division League (tier 2) - Runners-up (1): 2008-09
Saudi Second Division League (tier 3) - Winners (3): 1982-83, 1996-97, 1998-99 - Runners-up (1): 2002-03
Saudi Super Cup - Winners (1): 2013
Continental and global competitions
Al Fateh participated in the AFC Champions League on two occasions. In 2014, they made their debut in the group stage as Saudi Professional League champions but were eliminated without winning a match. They qualified again for the 2017 AFC Champions League, successfully advancing through the qualifying play-offs.