Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — This season, something special is unfolding at Al-Qadsiah. After a five-year absence, the team has returned to the Saudi Pro League, and under the guidance of coach Michel, they’re exceeding expectations. With an impressive third-place position in the league table following a 2-0 victory over Al-Okhdood, and a King’s Cup semi-final on the horizon, Qadsiah has proven to be one of the most consistent sides of the 2024-2025 season.
The team’s transformation has been boosted by several high-profile summer signings, including Belgium’s Koen Casteels, who left Wolfsburg after nine years to bolster the team’s defense. Alongside Casteels, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Julian Quinones, and Nacho Fernandez joined the squad, bringing not only star power but also tactical intelligence and leadership to the club.
Casteels, a seasoned goalkeeper with 13 years of experience in Germany, believes Qadsiah’s success lies in its smart recruitment strategy. “The club has made intelligent decisions with every position,” Casteels said. “We now have a team that fits together very well, which is one of the main reasons why we are at the top.”
The influx of talent has been key to Qadsiah’s rise, but Casteels emphasizes that the league’s growth goes beyond just the big names like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. “It’s more than just those big names. The quality is improving and the league is getting better,” he noted, reflecting on the increasing depth of talent in the Saudi Pro League.
Qadsiah’s surge in form has brought them to the semi-finals of the King’s Cup for the first time since 1989. With a chance to face either Al-Ittihad or Al-Shabab in the final, the team is hungry for more success. “If you’re in the last four, you want to win the tournament,” said Casteels, adding that while the team is focused on the next game, the possibility of reaching the final is within their grasp.
While the King’s Cup is an exciting target, Qadsiah is also in the race for AFC Champions League qualification, though Casteels remains focused on improving with every game. “We’re not thinking much about the Champions League right now; it’s not a big talking point in the dressing room,” he said. “We just focus on getting better every game.”
Under coach Michel, Qadsiah has embraced a tactical discipline that has seen them become the best defensive team in the league, conceding only 15 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets. Casteels credits the entire team’s defensive effort and the guidance of Michel, whose tactical expertise and people-management skills have been crucial to their success.
“I think every time we follow the coach’s plan, we feel we are at the right pace,” said Casteels. “He is not only tactically great but also someone you can always go to talk to. He’s very open-minded and like a father to us.”
With an exciting season ahead, Casteels and Qadsiah are aiming for historic accomplishments, and with their current form, they could soon be writing a new chapter in the club’s legacy.
