The team is set to take part in five friendly matches as part of the pre-season preparations RIYADH: The management of Saudi Professional League champions Al-Hilal has chosen Austria as the headquarters for the first team’s training camp ahead of the start of the domestic 2021-2022 season, Arabic sports daily Arriyadiyah has reported. The team is set to take part in five friendly matches as part of the pre-season preparations, which are set to commence following the arrival of new Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim in Riyadh on Wednesday. The squad is expected to reconvene for the start of light physical training on July 5 at the club’s headquarters in the Saudi capital. Over a period of three days, the players will have their fitness levels assessed and will undergo comprehensive medical examinations. Training will continue until July 12, the day on which Jardim and his players will depart for Austria, where they will take up residence until Aug. 2. The club’s technical staff, led by Jardim, approved the team’s participation in the five friendly matches during the camp to hone the team’s readiness ahead of the start of the new campaign. Last season, Al-Hilal won a record-extending 17th Saudi league title and recently advanced to the knockout stages of the 2021 Asian Football Confederation Champions League.