DUBAI: In the end, Omar Khribin returned in triumph. But not before a season of ups and downs.
The Syrian forward was named Asia’s best player last November, but there was always the sense that he was not appreciated beyond the Saudi Professional League were he plays for newly crowned champions Al Hilal.
For club and player, this has been a defining season.
Before the league title was wrapped up with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Al-Fateh, thanks to Khribin’s hat-trick, there was a traumatic AFC Champions League campaign to endure. Having reached the final of the continent’s premier competition as recently as November, an exit from the 2018 edition in the group stage has been hard to stomach for supporters dreaming of a third title.
It has been a curious season for the champions, one that saddled contrasting AFC Champions League campaigns, seen a Saudi Arabia World Cup qualification and of course a managerial departure.
Al-Hilal dispensed of the service of Ramon Diaz on February 20, a day after a 1-0 loss to Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League, a seemingly harsh move considering his previous achievements in the competition not to mention a league title last year.
In truth, performances had dipped below what Al-Hilal’s supporters and, crucially, board expect. There was also an exit from the King’s Cup at the hands of Al-Qadisiyah; the loss to Esteghlal in their second Group D fixture (having drawn the first 1-1 at home to Al-Ain) was the final straw.
The incoming interim manager Juan Brown had to do without his side’s most potent weapon, and it is not stretching a point say that Khribin’s absence for three months through injury played a major role in Al-Hilal’s inconsistencies.
The 24-year-old had played a pivotal role in the club reaching the ultimately disappointing final against Urawa Red Diamonds last year, and his leadership and goals have been missed this time around.
In 2017, his 10 goals were a competition high, helping cement his reputation as one of Asia’s most feared strikers and, along with his contribution to Syria’s gallant stab at World Cup qualification, earned him the Asian Player of the Year award.
Suddenly, Khribin was the continent’s hottest property, less than a year after joining Al-Hilal from the UAE’s Al-Dhafra.
So where do Al Hilal and Khribin go from here?
Mohamed Salah’s astonishing first season at Liverpool has rocketed him into the bracket of world’s best players, and is now being held up as an example for other Middle Eastern players.
Khribin, at only 24, is one of the select few who can potentially carve out a career abroad should he choose to. While others like Omar Abdulrahman and Ali Mabkhout have so far shunned interest from foreign clubs, could Khribin be the next Arab to make a big move to one of Europe’s elite leagues?
So far there has been no indication that the player wants a move, and Al-Hilal will certainly be doing all they can to keep hold of their prized possession as they look to maintain their domestic dominance and reassert their continental credentials in 2019.
First order of business would be to confirm a full time manager, and barring injuries the new man will still be working with the best squad in Saudi Arabia, and one of the strongest in Asia.
The Moroccan Achraf Bencharki has been a successful addition to the ranks of foreign players that include Ali Al-Habsi, the Argentine Ezequiel Cerutti and the Uruguayan Nicolas Milesi, as well as the injured and much-missed Brazilian Carlos Eduardo.
Captain and Hilal stalwart Yasser Al-Qahtani may have announced his retirement after last week’s title triumph, but the club remains home to some of the best local talent around, many of whom will represent their country at the World Cup in Russia.
No doubt more ingoing and outgoing transfers will be conducted during the summer.
The title win has eased the pain of the Champions League exit, and if Al-Hilal can hold on to their best players, above all Khribin, even better things can be expected next season.
Both Omar Khribin and Al-Hilal at a crossroads after a year of ups and downs
Both Omar Khribin and Al-Hilal at a crossroads after a year of ups and downs
- Asian player of the year just back from injury could follow path walked by Mohamed Salah
- Despite winning the title Al-Hilal season has been a mixture of good and so-so
Bangladesh goes into bat for cricket in Saudi Arabia, ambassador says
- M. Delwar Hossain: I look forward to meeting the SACF chairman and discussing how we can work together for better cooperation
- Former Pakistan captain, and one of the great allrounders, Shahid Afridi, was recently in the Kingdom, and met SACF CEO Tariq Ziad Sagga
RIYADH: Bangladesh Ambassador M. Delwar Hossain says that his country is looking forward to working with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and extending all cooperation as the sport’s popularity in the Kingdom grows.
The ambassador told Arab News: “Cricket is an important area developing in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi cricket team is doing well at the Asian Cricket Council events. We are following up the developments, and are in touch with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation.”
The Saudi cricket team won the ACC Men’s Challenger Cup, both the first and the second competition, played in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2023 and 2024. The tournament is a part of the qualification pathway for the Asia Cup. The finalists qualify for the Premier Cup, whose winner goes on to the Asia Cup.
Hossain said that his predecessor, ambassador Mohammad Javed Patwary, met SACF Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud last year, and they had signed an agreement between the Bangladesh and Saudi cricket boards.
The SACF chief was also invited to visit Bangladesh to see cricket developments there and decide what kind of cooperation could be extended from the Bangladeshi side. He was a keen supporter, according to the embassy officials who accompanied the previous ambassador during the meeting.
“I am new here, and look forward to meeting the SACF chairman and discussing how we can work together for better cooperation,” Hossain told Arab News.
Bangladesh is a good cricket side, currently ranked in the top ten across all formats: Test, ODI and T20 internationals.
Many Bangladeshi expatriates play cricket at different clubs in Saudi Arabia. Bangladeshi expatriates have been invited to join matches organized by the SACF with employees of various companies as part of corporate cricket.
Recently Bangladeshi international schools have also been engaged in the game — both male and female students — for separate matches organized by the SACF.
With the game growing by leaps and bounds in the Kingdom, many developments are taking place. The Red Sea city of Jeddah hosted the TATA IPL mega auction at the Abadi Al-Johar Arena in November 2024, which attracted international cricket stars and the celebrity owners of the IPL franchises.
The SACF described the TATA IPL mega auction as “a historic sporting achievement in Jeddah.”
Former Pakistan captain, and one of the great allrounders, Shahid Afridi, was recently in the Kingdom, and met SACF CEO Tariq Ziad Sagga, describing it as an inspiring experience, at King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology (KAUST) Winter Enrichment Program 2025.
“Honored to be invited to the @kaust_news Winter Enrichment Program 2025! Thrilled to champion cricket and sports empowerment alongside our star Olympian @ArshadOlympian1, CEO @Cricketsaudi @tzsagga and GM Iqbal Sikandar. A pleasure engaging with the brilliant faculty, students and community here, alongside @ZafarxMalik, CEO of @SAFoundationN. Together, we continue to drive the spirit of sports forward!,” Afridi posted on X.
Pakistani cricketing legends, including Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, have also been visiting the Kingdom and held meetings with the SACF chairman to discuss the development of cricket and ways to cooperate.
Indian cricket legend and former captain Rahul Dravid, head coach of the Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals, also attended the NEOM cricket program recently.
Dubai set for second round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Athletes from children’s, youth, adult and masters categories will take part at Al-Nasr CLub on Feb. 8-9
ABU DHABI: The second round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place this weekend (Feb. 8-9) at Al-Nasr Club in Dubai.
It will feature competition in the No-Gi division with athletes representing clubs and academies from across the country.
Participants in the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories will compete on Day 1, followed by youth, adults and masters on Day 2.
Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, emphasized that the second championship was a pioneering model for developing talent across technical, physical and mental levels, creating a pathway for future champions. He said that the No-Gi competitions allowed athletes to experiment with innovative strategies and techniques, further enhancing their ability to adapt to the diverse challenges of the sport.
“The great turnout for the No-Gi competitions reflects the sustainable development of the sport and the growing interest in it at all levels,” he said. “The participation of younger age groups has become one of the championship’s key pillars, showcasing the success of the federation’s strategy to discover and nurture new generations of talent and future champions.
“The championship draws athletes and their families into a distinctive and supportive environment, strengthening community ties and reflecting the noble values jiu-jitsu is known for, such as respect, loyalty and teamwork,” Al-Dhaheri said. “It also promotes the importance of pursuing sports as a healthy lifestyle, further establishing its position as one of the country’s most prominent sporting and social events.”
Germany’s president visits Riyadh training center for briefing on women’s football development in Saudi Arabia
- Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the first German head of state to visit Saudi Arabia, was accompanied by Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal
- Regional Training Centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah are nurturing football talent in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation hosted Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Riyadh Regional Training Center on Monday.
Steinmeier, the first German head of state to visit Saudi Arabia, has travelled to the Kingdom to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a three-day tour of the Middle East.
Steinmeier visited the Riyadh Girls’ RTC for a briefing on the development of women’s football in Saudi Arabia. His appearance highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to developing sport across all levels in the country.
Steinmeier was accompanied by Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi.
The Riyadh RTC is one of four such training centers across the Kingdom that are developing football talent in a safe, educational, and supportive environment.
The centers focus on physical health, social skills and mental well-being. There are facilities in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah.
The Riyadh Girls’ RTC was launched by the SAFF in 2021. Now operating for the fourth year, there are 60 female players enrolled from under-8 to under-15.
The Jeddah center, in its third year, has 100 female players, while there are 80 in Dammam, and 60 in Madinah.
The work of the RTCs to prepare players for elite-level competition has proved vital since their launch, with 60 percent of the under-17 women’s national team scouted from the centers during the 2023/2024 season.
Saudi Pro League expands global footprint with Brazil push
- SPL executives are in South America to meet Brazilian League, Brazilian Football Confederation
- There are more Brazilian players in the SPL than from any other overseas nation
SAO PAULO: The Saudi Pro League has started a strategic expansion drive into Brazil with the aim of strengthening ties with one of the world’s biggest, most enthusiastic football markets.
The SPL is currently home to 26 Brazilian players, more than any other overseas nation. With more than 100 matches streamed on YouTube in Brazil via Canal GOAT and Band, the league reached 50 million views in 2023-24, creating a solid platform for an initiative which strives to deepen engagement with Brazilian fans, broaden the SPL’s visibility, and create new commercial opportunities.
As part of its strategy, SPL executives are presently in Brazil to meet representatives from the Brazilian League, the Brazilian Football Confederation and leading sports marketing agencies, as well as existing and potential partners.
Mohammed Basrawi, the Saudi Pro League’s general manager of marketing, communication and content, said: “Brazilians have a deep and passionate football culture, and we want to bring them closer to the excitement of the SPL by establishing a long-term and immersive presence in the country.”
The SPL is launching official Brazilian social media channels to provide fans with localized content, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive engagement opportunities. The league will also introduce a local fan community to enhance its connection with Brazilian supporters. Additionally, the SPL’s presence in Brazil will extend to key football events, ensuring strong on-the-ground engagement at key points in the football calendar.
By investing in Brazil, the SPL is solidifying its global stature while also embracing the passion and heritage that define Brazilian football, marking an exciting new chapter in the league’s international journey.
Tatum shines as Celtics down Cavs, Lakers thrash Clippers
- Kyrie Irving scored 34 points but it was not enough to stop the Dallas Mavericks from taking a 118-116 defeat against Philadelphia 76ers buoyed by the return of Joel Embiid
- Karl-Anthony Towns scored 27 points and hauled down 20 rebounds to help the New York Knicks to a 121-115 win over the Raptors
LOS ANGELES: Jayson Tatum scored 22 points as the Boston Celtics laid down a postseason marker against the high-flying Cleveland Cavaliers with a 112-105 victory on the road on Tuesday.
In a heavyweight showdown between the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers and the second-ranked Celtics, Boston produced a clinical display to seal a deserved win.
Tatum led the Boston scoring but it was the Celtics’ balanced offense that proved too much for the Cavaliers.
Tatum was one of five Celtics players to finish in double figures, while Derrick White’s 20-point contribution — which included six three-pointers — played a key role in securing a Boston victory.
Kristaps Porzingis finished with 19 points and Jaylen Brown 16 while Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland scoring with 31 points.
Boston had looked poised to inflict a crushing defeat after outscoring Cleveland 28-15 in the first quarter before opening up a mammoth 20-point lead in the second.
But after trailing 43-23 midway through the second quarter, Cleveland came roaring back to cut the deficit to 10 points at halftime.
The Cavs kept chipping away at the Boston advantage in the second half but some superb shooting by the Celtics ensured the visitors always kept the hosts at arm’s length.
Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers recruit Luka Doncic looked on from the bench as his new teammates demolished the Los Angeles Clippers 122-97.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 26 points while Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves added 20 points apiece.
The Lakers improved to 29-19 with the win and are sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference standings.
“We’re just trying to play good basketball and keep stacking days, tonight was another one,” James said. “We came out with the right mindset, we had a great scheme and we executed that.”
In other games, Kyrie Irving scored 34 points but it was not enough to stop the Dallas Mavericks from slipping to a 118-116 defeat against a Philadelphia 76ers lineup buoyed by the return of Joel Embiid.
Embiid, who has missed the past month with a knee and foot injury, produced a superb triple-double of 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and scored the go-ahead basket with 22 seconds remaining to help the Sixers claim a precious win.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers scoring with 33 points, with 13 assists and four rebounds.
The Mavericks were without new recruit Anthony Davis, who was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Doncic to the Lakers.
Davis is still nursing an abdominal strain but is expected to be ready to make his debut later this week, either against Boston on Thursday or against Houston on Saturday.
In Toronto, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 27 points and hauled down 20 rebounds to help the New York Knicks to a 121-115 win over the Raptors.
The pre-game ceremony once again saw Canadian fans boo the US national anthem in protest at US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
In New York, the struggling Brooklyn Nets (17-33) upset the Houston Rockets 99-97 thanks to a D’Angelo Russell three-pointer with three seconds remaining.
