By Mohammed Al-Kinani
JEDDAH – Saudi international footballer Hamza Idrees hung up his boots Wednesday at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in a friendly match against Juventus which was graced by Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal Bin Fahd, Vice Chairman, General President of Youth Welfare (GPYW).
The match ended 2-2 and witnessed a below-par performance by both teams. All the goals came in the first half. Some of ex-players of Al-Ittihad also took part in their friend’s last match. Idrees was known for crucial goals.
His fans call him “The Thunder” for his great goals.
“I am very proud of you. Your support has been the real fuel for me as a player,” Idrees, told the fans, who came five hours before the match.
During the break, memorial shields and gifts were offered to Idrees. Prince Nawaf offered Idrees a gift on behalf of Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, President of the GPYW. He also gave Idrees a personal gift. The teammates of the retired player also presented him with the key of a luxury car. Idrees presented his jersey (No. 9) to team’s new striker Naif Hazzazi.
In the 55th minute, Idrees left the field to end his 17 years of his career. He has represented the Saudi national team in more than 70 matches and has scored 30 goals.
Idrees started playing football in his neighborhood in Madina when he was only 11. He played for a local team as goalkeeper.
Idrees first joined his first team Ohud for SR5,000 when he was 14 years old. He represented Ohud at the age of 16. Five years later, he moved to Al-Ittihad on a SR5-million deal.
On Saturday, Al-Hilal will meet Inter Milan in Riyadh on the ocassion of the retirement of another Saudi international Nawaf Al-Timiyat.
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