Al-Hilal have hailed the capture of United Arab Emirates star Omar Abdulrahman as proof of their desire to defend their domestic title and win the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2000.
After a summer of chasing the 26-year-old star the Riyadh giants finally landed their man, announcing the year-long loan move late on Wednesday, with “Amoory” having arrived in the capital earlier on to be greeted by 100s of fans.
“We have shown that we are committed to bringing in the best players we can,” an Al-Hilal official told Arab News.
“We won the league title in May but since then we have been recruiting top-class players from South America and Europe, we have the best Saudi Arabian players and now we have the best player from our region.
“This signing shows that we want to become the best team in Asia once again.”
Abdulrahman, the AFC Player of the Year in 2016, has been the hottest property in West Asian football since he burst on to the scene at the 2012 Olympics. Born in Riyadh before moving to the UAE, “Amoory” has been linked with a move to European powerhouses such as Juventus, Manchester City and Barcelona.
His first overseas move however is to his hometown club that he supported as a boy. That did not, however, stop the transfer being protracted, complex and expensive.
Al-Hilal will have to pay around €15 million ($17 million) to Al-Ain and the player for just 12 months of his services, making the deal the second most expensive loan in the history of football after the €18 million it cost AC Milan to preside Juventus to loan them Gonzalo Higuain in July.
“We are an international standard team with international standard players and that means often you have to pay prices that reflect that,” said the official.
“With Abdulrahman, we can look forward to the season with confidence and excitement.”
The Al-Ain man, who is expected to make his debut against Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup in London on Aug. 18, is set to slot into the No. 10 role to replace Nawaf Al-Abed who continues to struggle for fitness.
With talents such as Omar Khribin and Carlos Eduardo in attack and a number of Saudi Arabia internationals, Al-Hilal can lay claim to have, on paper at least, the best squad in Asia in terms of attacking strength in depth. After finishing as runner-up in the 2014 and 2017 AFC Champions League, there is confidence that the team can again challenge for a third continental crown.
The addition of Abdulrahman comes less than a month after the Riyadh giants, now led by new president Sami Al-Jaber and new coach Jorge Jesus from Portugal, signed Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo, who scored for the South Americans at this summer’s World Cup.
It also marks a victory for Al-Hilal over Al-Nassr. The other Riyadh giants, who finished in third last season, have been especially busy in the transfer window and made a late bid to try and hijack Al-Hilal’s deal for the UAE star, offering more money.
That did not prove successful but Al-Nassr are still hopeful however of persuading Al-Hilal target Jonas Goncalves to don the yellow and blue. The prolific Benfica striker has, according to reports in Portugal and Saudi Arabia, been in talks with the team now led by Uruguayan coach Jose Daniel Carreno.
At the moment however, Al-Hilal fans are getting very excited about the new season which kicks off on August 30.
Omar Abdulrahman signing proves Al-Hilal have what it takes for domestic and continental glory, says club official
Omar Abdulrahman signing proves Al-Hilal have what it takes for domestic and continental glory, says club official
- Addition of UAE star gives Riyadh giants one of the best attacks in Asia.
- Year-long loan announced on Wednesday evening, in second most expensive loan deal in history of the game.
Amorim says not even Europa League glory can save Man Utd’s season
“Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference
BILBAO, Spain: Ruben Amorim on Wednesday admitted that even winning the Europa League would not salvage Manchester United’s miserable season.
The fallen English giants face Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals, with the first leg in Spain on Thursday.
But whatever the result at the San Mames, also the venue for May’s final, it will not disguise the fact that this has been United’s worst campaign of the Premier League era and one where bitter rivals Liverpool have equalled their record of 20 top-flight English titles.
United are currently a lowly 14th in the Premier League table, having accrued just 39 points with four matches remaining, meaning they will have to win the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League.
“Everybody knows that it’s really important for our season,” United manager Amorim said during a pre-match press conference.
“We know that nothing is going to save our season but this can be huge.
“Winning a trophy and also to get in the Champions League to have European games next year could change a lot of things in our club, even in the summer.”
United are bidding to win the competition for the second time after their success under Jose Mourinho in 2016/17.
“As the head coach said, this is not going to save the season,” said midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
“But the history of United is written with titles, so that’s why we’re focused very much on tomorrow and to be able to play in the Champions League next season, so it’s very important and altogether we’re going to try and win.”
Their European form has been the one saving grace for United in a difficult season where Amorim has struggled to make his presence felt domestically since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.
“Europa League will not change anything in our problems — it’s going to help us to have Champions League next year, more money to spend — but the problems are still there,” said Amorim.
“We have to change the minds of our fans with consistency, good decisions, good recruitment, good academy. This is what we need to change to take this club back to the top.
“This is more of a shortcut to go to European games. Nothing more.”
Two-time runners-up Bilbao have the added incentive of trying to reach a European final at their home ground.
“They are really strong as a team, really intense, really aggressive — even for a Spanish team they are aggressive in every duel,” Amorim said.
“They have great players one v one. Nico Williams is a special player. They are the best defense in Spain in the league. We are not scoring too many goals, so it’s going to be a tough match for us.”
United will have Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt, out since February and the start of April respectively, available.
“To start, no,” Amorim said. “But they can be in the squad for the game.”
AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
- Victory for the Riyadh side would have set up an all-Saudi final against Al-Ahli but they lose 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in Jeddah
- Jhon Duran has chance to make it 3-3 from close range in the closing minutes but fails to make contact
JEDDAH: Despite the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the semifinal of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Wednesday, denying them the chance to take on Al-Ahli in an all-Saudi final on Saturday.
The Japanese side took the lead after just 10 minutes in spectacular fashion after Marcinho gained possession on the left side of the area and scooped a cross into the six-yard box. The ball was headed clear by Mohammed Simakan but only as far as Tatsuya Ito, who volleyed a delicious shot into the top corner of the net.
The goal came against run of play but Al-Nassr kept pushing and probing, and they were rewarded just two minutes before the half-hour mark. Sadio Mane cut in from the left side of the area and the shot from the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star took a deflection as it bounced into the back of the net.
Al-Nassr continued to attack. Ronaldo headed against the woodwork and then, after 40 minutes, Jhon Duran’s fierce shot flew just wide of the post from a good position.
The Colombian was left to rue the miss when, four minutes before the break, Kawasaki restored their lead. A shot by Ito was saved by Bento but the ball bounced into the path of Yuto Ozeki, who fired home from just inside the area.
Kawasaki did not sit back in the second half and should have extended their lead but Brazilian forward Erison somehow failed to get on the end of a low cross with the goal at his mercy.
In the 76th minute he redeemed himself, however, as he skipped past Aymeric Laporte on the byline and squared the ball to Akihiro Ienaga, who tapped home from the closest of ranges to make it 3-1.
It seemed as if that would be that but with three minutes remaining Al-Nassr pulled a goal back when Ayman Yahya fired a shot into the top corner from outside the area.
Soon after, Duran had a chance to make it 3-3 from close range but failed to make contact at the crucial moment. There was still time after that for a Ronaldo free-kick to be saved by the legs of Louis Yamaguchi before the referee blew for full time.
Kawasaki will now face Al-Ahli in the final on Saturday, again at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Jabal Tuwaiq lift trophy at Jazan region’s 1st Junior Hockey Championship
- The tournament, organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, featured four teams who scored a total of 23 goals in six matches
- The Eagles of Abu Arish took 2nd place, and Al-Majd 3rd; Al-Majd’s Haitham Musalami was named player of the tournament
JAZAN: Jabal Tuwaiq were crowned champions of the first Junior Boys’ Hockey Championship held in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, which concluded on Wednesday at Saad bin Muadh School.
The tournament, organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, featured four teams who scored a total of 23 goals in six matches. The Eagles of Abu Arish took second place, with Al-Majd finishing third.
In the individual honors, Al-Majd’s Haitham Musalami was named player of the tournament, the top scorer award went to Eagles player Abdullah Azeek, and Jabal Tuwaiq’s Suleiman Al-Muaydi was named best goalkeeper.
The hockey federation said the tournament represented a foundational step in efforts to foster and develop competitive youth hockey across the region, in line with the organization’s strategic vision to expand the sport nationwide and lay the groundwork for national Junior Hockey League.
Chelsea FC teams up with UAE’s DAMAC for branded residences deal in Dubai
- Agreement includes what is said to be first-of-its-kind football-themed property-development collaboration: Chelsea Residences by DAMAC
- The luxury real estate company will also feature as front-of-shirt sponsor of the men’s and women’s teams for remainder of the season
DUBAI: Chelsea Football Club on Wednesday announced a long-term global partnership agreement with UAE-based DAMAC Properties, a Middle Eastern luxury real estate company.
The collaboration includes an ultra-modern development in Dubai, Chelsea Residences by DAMAC, described as a first-of-its-kind football-themed branded residences project. It will be built with the team’s famous brand woven into its fabric, the partners said, from its concierge services to high-performance spaces designed reflect the club in terms of high-end style, commitment to excellence and its vision for the future.
To showcase the partnership and celebrate the launch of the first Chelsea-branded residences, DAMAC will feature as front-of-shirt sponsors of the men’s and women’s teams for the remainder of this season, beginning with the men’s UEFA Conference League semi-final against Swedish side Djurgarden on May 1.
“This launch marks the first of an elite collection that celebrates not just the passion of Chelsea F.C. but its enduring legacy, innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Amira Sajwani, DAMAC’s managing director of sales and development.
“This initiative goes beyond celebrating the beautiful game; it sets a new benchmark for those who expect nothing less than the exceptional, every time.”
Jason Gannon, Chelsea’s president and chief operating officer, said: “DAMAC are world renowned in building luxury properties, and we are thrilled to be working with the industry leader to bring to market a first-of-its-kind branded Chelsea F.C. residence in Dubai.
“With the club located in the heart of London, the collaboration will bring Chelsea to life in Dubai, supporting our continued growth on the global stage. We can’t wait to see Chelsea Residences take its place in the Dubai skyline.”
The project will be part of Dubai’s new beachfront development Maritime City and consist of more than 1,400 residential units. Each will offer seafront views and access to exclusive Chelsea-branded amenities with a focus on health, fitness and well-being, the partners said.
Sinner considered walking away from tennis during doping controversy
- Sinner accepted a three-month ban in February after a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency
- “I didn’t feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break it will do me good,” he said
ROME: World number one Jannik Sinner, who is about to return to action after a three-month doping ban, thought about walking away from tennis even while successfully defending his Australian Open title, but is coming back with a new mentality.
Sinner accepted a three-month ban in February after a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, who had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against an independent tribunal’s decision in August to clear him.
The Italian had tested positive for anabolic agent clostebol which Sinner said entered his system from a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy.
Sinner won the Australian Open in January, with the WADA case hanging over him, and was asked during an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI on Tuesday whether he had ever considered giving up tennis.
“Yes, yes. I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping,” Sinner said.
“I didn’t feel really comfortable in the locker room, where I ate. It was a bit like some players looked at me differently and I didn’t like it at all. And there I said it’s heavy to live tennis in this way.
“I didn’t feel comfortable and then I said, maybe after Australia, a little bit of free time, in the sense where I take a little break it will do me good.”
Sinner was then forced into a break by the ban, but is now back in training for the upcoming Italian Open next month.
“Slowly, I’m getting back into the rhythm of real training with a goal in front of me,” Sinner said.
“Sometimes it goes very well, sometimes there is a drop and I don’t know why, so I will certainly be very happy to return to the court.
“Especially in Rome, it is a special tournament for me, but I certainly enter with a slightly different mentality. I miss the competition. I am certainly very happy that this phase is now over and we are ready to start again.”
Sinner’s settlement brought plenty of criticism from both current and former players, with Serena Williams saying she would have been banned for 20 years and had her Grand Slam titles taken away had she tested positive in a similar fashion.
“I mean, I don’t even want to answer. Everyone is free to say what they want, everyone can judge, but that’s okay,” Sinner said.
“It’s important to me that I know how that happened, but above all also of what I went through and it was very difficult.
“I don’t wish it on anyone to really pass as innocent something like that because it wasn’t easy, but we are in a world where everyone can say what they want, so it’s okay.”
