The King Cup:

The 2021–22 King Cup, also known as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, marked the 47th edition of this prestigious football tournament in Saudi Arabia since its inception in 1957. Running from December 20, 2021, to May 19, 2022, this season boasted 16 competitive teams, all eager to claim the coveted title. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the competition's highlights, participating teams, key moments, and the road to victory for Al-Fayha, who clinched their first-ever King Cup title.

Participating Teams:

A total of 16 teams participated in the 2021–22 King Cup, all hailing from the Saudi Professional League, demonstrating the high level of competition in the country's football scene. These teams included:

1. Abha
2. Al-Ahli
3. Al-Batin
4. Al-Ettifaq
5. Al-Faisaly TH
6. Al-Fateh
7. Al-Fayha
8. Al-Hazem
9. Al-Hilal
10. Al-Ittihad
11. Al-Nassr
12. Al-Raed
13. Al-Shabab
14. Al-Taawoun
15. Al-Tai
16. Damac

The Tournament Progress:

The King Cup followed a knockout format, with teams competing fiercely in each round to progress to the next stage. Let's break down the tournament's progress:

Round of 16:

• The round of 16 fixtures commenced on December 19, 2021, and showcased thrilling matchups.
• Notable results included Al-Shabab defeating Damac 5-0 and Al-Hilal's 2-0 win against Al-Raed.

Quarter-finals:

• The quarter-finals, held on February 21, 2022, were packed with intensity and drama.
• Al-Fayha secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al-Batin after extra time, while Al-Ittihad triumphed 2-1 against Al-Taawoun.

Semi-finals:

• The semi-finals, occurring on April 3 and 4, 2022, raised the stakes even higher.
• Al Hilal overcame Al-Shabab with a 2-1 victory, while Al-Fayha edged past Al-Ittihad with a 1-0 win.

Final:

• The grand finale took place on May 19, 2022, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
• Al-Fayha and Al-Hilal battled fiercely, resulting in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
• Al-Fayha clinched their first-ever King Cup title by prevailing 3-1 in the penalty shootout, marking a historic moment in the club's history.

Top Goalscorers:

The tournament showcased some outstanding performances from top goalscorers, including:

1. Brazil Carlos from Al-Shabab, who netted 4 goals.
2. Brazil Romarinho from Al-Ittihad, along with Cameroon's Léandre Tawamba from Al-Taawoun, Morocco's Mourad Batna from Al-Fateh, Greece's Panagiotis Tachtsidis from Al-Fayha, and Nigeria's Odion Ighalo and Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari from Al-Hilal, all scoring 2 goals each.
3. Brazil's Ramon Lopes from Al-Fayha.

The 2021–22 King Cup was a remarkable journey filled with fierce competition, thrilling matches, and historic moments. Al-Fayha's victory in the final marked a significant milestone for the club, making them the 10th team to ever win this prestigious tournament. The King Cup continues to be a showcase of Saudi Arabia's football excellence, with each season bringing excitement and anticipation for fans across the country. Read more about the King's Cup.