LONDON: If any Al-Hilal fan is seeking inspiration ahead of this weekend’s AFC Champions League final second leg against Urawa Reds, they need look no further than club legend Sami Al-Jaber.
The Riyadh giants head to Saitama in Japan this Saturday locked at 1-1 and as underdogs, without a continental title since 2000. But speaking to Arab News, Al-Jaber, part of the winning team 17 years ago, said Al-Hilal always have it in them to produce in big games describing them as “more than just a football club.”
Al-Jaber spent almost his entire professional career playing for the Riyadh giants, wearing the famous blue shirt almost 450 times over a decorated 20-year career.
“It’s like home, they call me the son of the club,” the 44-year-old told Arab News.
“I spent 20 years at the club, this is a great club. I was with so many presidents during the years, so many people who worked at the club. Al-Hilal is not just a football club, Al-Hilal is a legacy, it’s a very big legacy in Saudi Arabia and the region.
“(It’s) just like my family, just like home and my family. It’s a club that has a legacy and it’s more than just a football club. You can see the history, and in Asia I would say it’s No.1.
“All the presidents, all the workers, all the players — the secret is they are like a family, they act always like a family.
“They care about each other, they do so many charity things that no one knows about, they take care of everything. All the people that are working there, they love the club.
“I can’t say any more than the club is more than a football club, it’s a community.”
And, according to Al-Jaber, it is the loyal fans of the club that are its biggest asset.
“I would say if someone is born, the first thing that will come out of his mouth is Al-Hilal — it’s not mother or father,” Al-Jaber joked.
“The fans are the big secret (to the success) of Al-Hilal. They love the club and they travel everywhere that the club is going, they follow the club. This is one of the biggest secrets.”
Al-Jaber was a key man of the famous Al-Hilal side that last tasted continental success in 2000. On that occasion they defeated Japanese side Jubilo Iwata 3-2 in extra-time after a dramatic late comeback, with Brazilian Sergio Ricardo scoring an 89th minute equalizer to send the match to extra time, and followed it up with a golden goal in the 102nd minute to seal his hat-trick and the title for the Saudi Arabian club.
“This is one of the best matches in the history,” Al-Jaber said. “The match was very close to a European style, at the time they compared it to one of the games from (Europe).
“The whole King Fahd Stadium was shaking with 75,000 people.”
According to Al-Jaber, the win over the Japanese side had a greater meaning than just being crowned continental champions.
“We proved to people that Saudi football was going in the right direction,” he said. “If you remember Japan in 1992 won their first Asian Cup against Saudi Arabia. After that we also played the 2000 Asian Cup (final) again, and we lost 1-0 as well.
“This was the competition (at the time), we were the best two teams at the time and Japan tried to prove that they are coming and that they will be big in Asia.”
Amazingly, despite that Asian Club Championship success being 17 years ago, one player remains from the side — the legendary Mohammad Al-Shalhoub.
“What a great player, what a great player,” Al-Jaber said of the 36-year-old.
“He’s No.1 at Al-Hilal in history. This guy is very disciplined, very polite but he is a fantastic player. When you talk about the history of Al-Hilal you have to mention Mohammad Al-Shalhoub.
“He is one of the reasons I am saying Al-Hilal deserves to win the Asian Champions League. This guy played against Jubilo (Iwata) when he was 17-18-years-old and now after 17 years he will be there as a captain of Al-Hilal.
“To end his career with a competition like this, for Al-Hilal fans and us who played with this guy, it will be the best end for this legend.”
On Saturday’s crunch clash against Urawa Reds, Al-Jaber is confident his former side can claim the crown they so desperately want, even after last weekend’s frustrating 1-1 draw and loss of star attacker Carlos Eduardo to a season-ending knee injury.
“It doesn’t matter the score, if the score is 1-0 it’s more than enough,” he said.
Saudi legend Al-Jaber wants Al-Hilal to lift the Champions League for club stalwart
Saudi legend Al-Jaber wants Al-Hilal to lift the Champions League for club stalwart
Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others
- The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16
- manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will give some star players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk a rest for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16, so manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands.
Along with Salah and Van Dijk, the other players who were left in Merseyside were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool are in first place and can finish no lower than second in the league phase of the Champions League.
On Tuesday, Slot said with the packed schedule it was a chance for players to “get some freshness back.”
The Premier League leaders play at seventh-place Bournemouth on Saturday.
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announces rookie free practice session at Jeddah E-Prix
- ‘It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent,’ says chief championship officer
- Teams must nominate driver, allocate race car number 7 days prior to event
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announced on Tuesday a rookie free practice session designed for drivers who have never raced in the championship, as part of the Jeddah E-Prix.
Scheduled for Feb. 13, the 40-minute session will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new, groundbreaking technology of the Formula E GEN3 Evo car.
Alberto Longo, Formula E’s co-founder and chief championship officer, said: “Following on from the success of our official women’s test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated rookie free practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix.
“It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women.”
The opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will, according to Longo, provide invaluable experience for young drivers, and “we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”
Pablo Martino, the head of the Formula E Championship, said: “It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA world championships, and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around.”
Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, meaning the lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The initiative follows the successful inaugural women’s test in Madrid, and further emphasizes the dedication of Formula E and the FIA to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.
Ex-Belgium midfielder Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe
- The 36-year-old footballer was charged with “participating in a criminal organization” and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media
- Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side
BRUSSELS: Former Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan was charged on Monday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking on an international scale, a day after he was arrested, the Brussels prosecutor’s office said.
The 36-year-old footballer was charged with “participating in a criminal organization” and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media after a hearing in Brussels.
Nainggolan was among 18 suspects arrested following a series of 30 searches carried out on Monday morning in the northern province of Antwerp, as well as in the Brussels area. Ten of them were imprisoned after being brought before a judge.
The majority of those held face charges of “importation, transport and selling of drugs without permission” and with the “participation in organized crime as leaders.”
Nainggolan was released on bail as he was charged with being a “member” of the organization and not a “leader.”
“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement on Monday.
In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros ($521,000) in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewelry, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each.
They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said.
Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side — adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team.
Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week.
He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren’s 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.
He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp.
A tattooed midfielder known for his off-field antics, he parted ways with Antwerp in early 2023.
A few months earlier he had been suspended for being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.
Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos
- ‘To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,’ Neymar writes on X
- ‘To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life’
BEIRUT: Brazilian forward Neymar took the opportunity on Tuesday to thank Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, and their fans after concluding his 17-month stint at the Saudi Pro League side.
“To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,” said Neymar in a social media post on X, after returning to his Brazilian club Santos after originally leaving them in 2013 to join Barcelona.
He wrote: “I gave everything to play and I wish we (had) enjoyed better times on the pitch together.
“To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.
“Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you!”
Marcelo Teixeira, Santos’ president, said on social media channels: “It is the time (to come back), Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts.
“Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
The 32-year-old, who has scored 79 international goals for his home country, moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for a world-record fee of €222 million in August 2017.
Al-Hilal announced Neymar’s departure on Tuesday on X, saying: “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career.”
Neymar arrived at the Saudi club in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but only played seven games due to injuries.
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote on X: “Teixeira confirms Neymar Jr’s return to the club. Six-month contract to be formally signed this week, as reported.”
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah wins ICC cricketer of the year award
- Nominees included Travis Head of Australia, English duo Joe Root and Harry Brook
- Pacer becomes fifth Indian to win award after Dravid, Tendulkar, Ashwin and Kohli
DUBAI: Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah won the ICC’s award for men’s cricketer of the year on Tuesday for his stellar performances in both the red-ball and white-ball format during 2024.
The 31-year-old right-arm paceman became the fifth Indian cricketer to win the award, after Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli.
“When I was a youngster, I saw many of my childhood heroes winning this great award, so (I’m) very happy,” Bumrah said.
Kohli won back-to-back awards in 2016 and 2017.
Travis Head of Australia and English duo Joe Root and Harry Brook were the other nominees for the award.
On Monday, Bumrah was also named the ICC men’s test cricketer of the year for his 71 wickets in 13 matches.
Bumrah masterminded India’s successful campaign at the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies with 15 wickets at a staggering average of 8.26 and impressive economy of 4.17, which also earned him the player of the tournament award.
“Last year was really memorable and specially winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados will always be close to my heart and I’ll always remember it forever,” Bumrah said.
In a memorable game at the T20 World Cup, Bumrah grabbed 3-14 against archrival Pakistan in a thriller in New York which India won by six runs. He went on to bag 2-18 in the final against South Africa.
