Al-Ula FC (women)
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| Full name | Al-Ula Women's Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Arabian Tigress | ||
| Founded | 2022 | ||
| Ground | Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Stadium Medina | ||
| Capacity | 24,000 | ||
| Owner | Royal Commission for Al-'Ula | ||
| Chairman | Amr Al-Madani | ||
| Head coach |  Ray Farrugia | ||
| League | Saudi Women's First Division League | ||
| 2022–23 | SWFDL, Final: 1st of 26 | ||
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Al-Ula Women's Football Club (Arabic: فريق العلا للسيدات) is a Saudi professional women's football club based in Al-Ula, Medina province. It plays in the Saudi Women's Premier League, the top tier women's football league in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ula successfully secured promotion to the premier league in their inaugural season.
History
[edit]Founded in 2023, Al-Ula's women's team began its journey in May, holding trials after appointing Jordanian coach Alaa Abu Qasheh to lead. Starting training sessions in mid-July, they aim to shape a team that meets high expectations for their debut in the Women's First Division League in November.[1][2][3] Prior to launching their league campaign, the club secured the signatures of five foreign players, including two European internationals, Bosnian Selma Kapetanović and Croatian Fatjesa Gegollaj, marking the league's first-ever signings of active European internationals.[4] The club made history by winning their inaugural match 14–0 against Ohd, a game that concluded before full time due to a shortage of players on the opposing team.[5]
Following an impressive performance in the group stage, where they won seven matches and drew one, maintaining an unbeaten record, Al-Ula secured qualification for the final stages.[6] Al-Ula outperformed Al-Bayraq with a 5–0 victory and drew 1–1 against Abha, securing their spot in the league's semi-finals.[7] On March 10, 2024, Al-Ula secured promotion to the Saudi Women's Premier League by defeating Al-Amal 3–0 in the semi-final match.[8]
Al-Ula emerged as champions of the First Division, clinching victory in the final by defeating Al-Taraji on penalties, thus becoming the second team ever to claim the title.[9][10]
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 27 September 2024[11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching and management staff
[edit]| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Ray Farrugia
|
| Assistant coach | Brian Bartolo
|
 Wilco van Buuren
| |
 Nada Abdullah
| |
| Goalkeeping coach |  Miguel Ângelo Menezes
|
| Fitness coach |  Bethany Testro
|
| Video analyst |  Sergiu Bolboaca
|
| Head of Physiotherapy Unit | Rodrigo Martín Baeza
|
| Physiotherapy Specialist |  Marwa El Adrosy
|
Last updated: November 7, 2024
Source: Al-Ula
Records and statistics
[edit]Competition record
[edit]Al-Ula's performance over their completed seasons:
| Season | Div. | pos. | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Season Top Scorer | Saudi Women's Cup pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 1. D | 1st | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 73 | 3 |  Selma Kapetanović |
N/A |
Honours
[edit]- Saudi Women's First Division League:
- Champions (1): 2023–24
References
[edit]- ^ "فريق السيدات ينطلق في يوليو" [The women's team kicks off in July.]. alulaclub.sa (in Arabic). Al-Ula FC. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ ""سيدات العلا"... ترقب لظهور أول في دوري "الأولى" السعودي" [Ladies of Al-Ula... Anticipation for their debut in the Saudi Women's First Division League]. aawsat.com (in Arabic). 18 November 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "أبوقشة: العلا جاهز للمنافس في دوري السيدات السعودي" [Abu Qusha: Al-Ula is ready to compete in the Saudi Women's League.]. kooora.com (in Arabic). Riyan Al-Jidani. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "العلا السعودي يتعاقد مع البوسنية سلمى كابيتانوفيتش" [Al-Ula Saudi signs with the Bosnian Selma Kapetanović.]. kooora.com (in Arabic). Riyan Al-Jidani. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "في أولى مبارياته.. نادي العلا النسائي لكرة القدم يفوز بـ 14هدف" [In its first match, Al-Ula Women's Football team wins with 14 goals.]. hiamag.com (in Arabic). 11 November 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "دوري الدرجة الأولى للسيدات السعودي يدخل مرحلة الحسم" [The Saudi Women's First Division League enters the decisive stage]. gate.ahram.org.eg (in Arabic). 29 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "التقدم والترجي والعلا والأمل في نصف نهائي "أولى السيدات"" [Al-Taqadam, Al-Taraji, Al-Ula, and Al-Amal in the semi-finals of the Women's First Division League.]. aawsat.com (in Arabic). 7 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "العلا يبلغ الدوري السعودي الممتاز للسيدات" [Al-Ula Reaches the Saudi Women's Premier League.]. kooora.com (in Arabic). Riyan Al-Jidani. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "العلا يصنع حقبة جديدة في كرة القدم النسائية بالسعودية" [Al-Ula is creating a new era in women's football in Saudi Arabia.]. kooora.com (in Arabic). Riyan Al-Jidani. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "AlUla beat Al-Taraji to be crowned champions of SAFF Women's First Division League". arabnews.com. 14 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Al Nassr v Al Ula match Report". int.soccerway.com. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
External links
[edit]- Al-Ula on Player Maker Stats