The Bahraini Hessa Al-Issa with Al-Nassr revives memories of her brilliance in the Saudi league 2022/2023

It shines in the 2026 West Asia Championship, just as it shone in the 2022/2023 Saudi League.

• West Asian Football Federation

  The starting line-up

  Bahraini striker Hessa Al-Issa has started both of Al-Nassr's opening matches at the third West Asian Women's Club Championship 2026 in Jordan, against Al-Hilal of Syria and then Naft Al-Shamal of Iraq. Saudi coach Abdulaziz Al-Aluni clearly trusts her quality up front.

  The 30-year-old made her mark straight away against Al-Hilal. Deep into first-half stoppage time, in the 45+3 minute, Al-Issa unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that beat Syrian goalkeeper Raneem Abu Latif. Her goal set Al-Nassr on their way to a 5-0 rout.

  Against Naft Al-Shamal she went one better, grabbing a brace after the break. Al-Issa opened her account with a first-time finish inside the penalty area on 53 minutes, then struck again in the 90+3 minute. The double helped fire Al-Nassr to a thumping 9-0 win and booked their place in the semi-finals of the regional championship.

  
  

• Source: Saudi Arabian Football Federation

  Memories of 2022/2023

  Bahrain's Hessa Al-Issa lit up the 2026 West Asian Women's Club Championship in Jordan with Al-Nassr, reminding Saudi fans of the displays that made her name in the inaugural Saudi Women's Premier League of 2022/2023, back when the women's game in Saudi Arabia was still finding its feet.

  Her ties to Al-Nassr stretch back to her days with the "Kingdom Women's" team, who she helped win the Kingdom Championship in 2022. Al-Nassr then acquired the side, and she went on to feature in the first official league campaign with them. Under Saudi coach Abdulaziz Al-Aloni, she and her teammates lifted the title for the first time. She also finished third in the scoring charts with 15 goals.