New trophy unveiled for 2023 King Salman Club Cup

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The Arab Club Champions Cup was unveiled at Terra Mall in Taif on Aug. 10, 2023. (Supplied)
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Updated 11 August 2023
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New trophy unveiled for 2023 King Salman Club Cup

  • Specially created for the tournament, also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, the trophy was revealed during an event at Tera Mall in the western Saudi city of Taif
  • The design includes elements inspired by the headscarf that is one of the symbols of formal Saudi attire, and is topped by a golden soccer ball

RIYADH: The Union of Arab Football Associations on Thursday unveiled the new trophy that will be presented this weekend to the winners of the 2023 King Salman Club Cup.

The brand new trophy, specially created for the tournament, which is also known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, was revealed during a special event at Tera Mall in the western Saudi city of Taif.




The brand new trophy was specially created for this year's Arab Club Champions Cup. (Supplied)

Made by Sports Partners International, the trophy’s design includes elements inspired by the headscarf that is one of the symbols of formal Saudi attire. It is topped by a golden soccer ball, and an inscription at the bottom includes the name of the tournament. Made from bronze-coated copper, plated with 24-carat gold, it weighs 6.1 kilograms and stands 39.5 centimeters tall.

Special guests at the unveiling included tournament director Mu’eed Al-Shahri and Abdullah Al-Zayedi, the director of the Ministry of Sports in Taif. Afterwards, fans had a chance to have their photo taken with the trophy.

Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr will battle it out for the trophy in the final of the competition, which kicks off at 7pm on Aug. 12 at King Fahd Stadium in Taif.

 

 


Soccer rule change: Corner kick awarded if goalkeeper holds the ball more than 8 seconds

Updated 19 sec ago
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Soccer rule change: Corner kick awarded if goalkeeper holds the ball more than 8 seconds

  • The new rule will first be used at the Club World Cup in June
  • Then in domestic and international competitions from next season

BELFAST: Soccer’s rule makers are taking another crack at reducing timewasting by goalkeepers who hold the ball for too long.
The International Football Association Board approved a rule change Saturday whereby the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds. The new rule will first be used at the Club World Cup in June and then in domestic and international competitions from next season.


It replaces the current and mostly unenforced rule that states a referee should give an indirect free kick to the other side if a goalkeeper holds the ball for more than six seconds.
Referees will be instructed to use a five-second hand countdown to warn goalkeepers time is running out to put the ball back in play.
The IFAB said that the eight-second rule saw positive results when it was used in trials in England’s Premier League 2 for youth teams and other minor competitions in Italy and Malta.
“You can see it has a significant impact on goalkeeper behavior,” Patrick Nelson, IFAB director and head of the Irish Football Association, said at a news conference. “The results of (the trials) have been very, very positive.”
Nelson said failure to enforce the six-second rule had “been a bane of many people’s lives for quite some time.”


Penalty heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in U-20 Asian final

Updated 01 March 2025
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Penalty heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in U-20 Asian final

  • Bassam Hazazi sees final penalty saved by Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall
  • Haji had almost put his team ahead inside the third minute

SHENCHEN, CHINA: There was heartbreak for Saudi Arabia in the final of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup on Saturday as they lost a penalty shootout 5-4 to Australia.
After extra time ended with the score at 1-1, Bassam Hazazi stepped up to take the last of Saudi Arabia’s five penalty kicks only to see it saved by Australian goalkeeper Steven Hall.
Louis Agosti put Australia ahead in the first half, but Talal Haji equalized for Saudi Arabia just before the break.
Haji had almost put his team ahead inside the third minute with a low shot from the right of the area that was well-saved by Hall. The striker had another chance soon after, but blasted over the bar.


Australia took the lead in the 24th minute. Saudi Arabia failed to deal with a free-kick on the left and the ball fell to Agosti just outside the area. He swung a foot and his low shot ended up in the bottom corner. Saudi keeper Hamed Al-Shanqiti got a hand to the ball and probably should have kept it out.
Just when it looked as if the Green Falcons were going to in at the break behind, they had the ball in the net — though only just. Nawaf Al-Ghulaimish crossed from the right and Haji headed into the arms of goalkeeper Hall, who was standing behind the goal line. After a lengthy VAR check to ascertain whether the whole of the ball had crossed the line, the goal was given.
The second half was open with both teams pushing for a win. After 56 minutes there was a major scramble in the Saudi Arabian area. Al-Shanqiti made a smart reaction save from a botched clearance by Awad Aman, then Daniel Bennie had two shots blocked before Alexander Badolato pulled his effort just wide. Not long after Saad Haqawi’s low shot from the left was saved.
There were more opportunities, but the stalemate remained and the final went into extra time. Those 30 minutes carried on in the same vein before the referee blew his whistle to end two hours of football and signal a penalty shootout, the second in a row for Saudi Arabia, who defeated South Korea on penalties in the semi-final.
As in that match, Saudi Arabia’s opponents took the first kick. Unlike South Korea, Australia converted, and went on to score each of their penalties. Thamer Al-Khaibri coolly leveled with Saudi Arabia’s first. Farhah Al-Shamrani scored to make it 2-2. Ali Al-Mahdawi slotted home the third. Saleh Barnawi made it 4-4. Then the pressure was on Hazazi to level again and take the shootout into sudden death. But his effort was saved and Australia took the title.

 


Al-Hilal slip up at home against Al-Ahli as a Toney hat-trick dents their title hopes

Updated 01 March 2025
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Al-Hilal slip up at home against Al-Ahli as a Toney hat-trick dents their title hopes

  • The England striker shines to give the visitors from Jeddah a memorable away victory that did not look at all likely at half-time
  • Third-place Al-Nassr’s title ambitions also suffer a blow as they lose 2-1 at Al-Orubah; league leaders Al-Ittihad can go 8 points clear with a win on Sunday

JEDDAH: Al-Ahli defeated Al-Hilal 3-2 on Friday, with Ivan Toney blasting a big hole in the hosts’ Saudi Pro League title ambitions with a stunning second-half hat-trick in a thrilling game.

The England striker shone to give the visitors from Jeddah a famous victory that did bitter local rivals Al-Ittihad a huge favor, as the result means the league leaders remain five points clear of second-place Al-Hilal, now with a game in hand. Al-Ahli sit in fourth place, level on points with Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah.

The victory did not look at all likely at half-time, after 45 minutes during which the hosts were in control and had numerous chances. The game remained goalless at the break, however, and Blues would come to rue their misses.

Just moments after the restart, Gabri Veiga had the ball on the left wing and the Spaniard slipped the ball inside to Toney just inside the area. There was still a lot of work for the former Brentford man to do but he took a touch and then smoothly fired the ball across Yassine Bounou and into the net to send the away fans wild with delight.

The home support in the Kingdom Arena was stunned and things got worse for them after 52 minutes when Al-Ahli grabbed another well-worked goal, this time from the right. Galeno, who signed from Porto in January, sent a low cross across the face of goal to the waiting Toney who slotted home from close range.

Al-Hilal then pulled one back, courtesy of the in-form Salem Al-Dawsari. Malcom picked up the ball in the middle of the field and started a fluid move that ended with the Brazilian collecting possession again inside the area before pulling the ball back for Al-Dawsari, who timed his run perfectly.

Ten minutes later, the champions were level when, after a blatant handball in the area, Marcos Leonardo scored from the spot.

There was a final twist to come, though, as Toney completed his hat-trick with two minutes remaining. After an Al-Hilal clearance, Veiga hooked the ball back into the area for Toney to control and send a fierce shot past the helpless Bounou. Al-Hilal pushed forward during 15 minutes of added time but their efforts came to nothing.

Al-Hilal’s Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr also lost yesterday, 2-1 at Al-Orubah. Omar Al-Somah showed his goal-scoring instincts five minutes before the break when he slammed home a bouncing ball into the far corner.

Six minutes after the restart, though, Al-Nassr were back on level terms. Nawaf Boushal, just on as a substitute, ran onto an Angelo through ball and fired it home.

After 65 minutes, however, Al-Orubah scored the decider when Johann Gudmundsson picked up the ball well outside the area, advanced and then launched an unstoppable thunderbolt into the top corner.

Al-Ittihad fans would have enjoyed both of these results and the league leaders now have the chance to go eight points clear on Sunday when they host Al-Okhdood.


Ronaldo eyes Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides resume campaigns in Round of 16

Updated 01 March 2025
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Ronaldo eyes Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides resume campaigns in Round of 16

  • Al-Hilal topped the league stage on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches
  • Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday

TOKYO: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr travel to Iran in the Asian Champions League next week with his side one of three from Saudi Arabia in the last 16 of the region’s top club competition.
Saudi teams dominated the tournament’s West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al-Hilal leading Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr in the top three in the final table.
Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 2022, and the desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Al-Hilal, the last side from Saudi Arabia to win the Champions League in 2021, topped the league stage on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches.
Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Ronaldo scored six goals in the league stage and is still going strong at the age of 40.
A first Asian crown would add to a bulging trophy haul that already includes five UEFA Champions League titles.
The Portuguese has been joined at Al-Nassr by Colombian striker Jhon Duran, although the big-money signing from Aston Villa was sent off during a Saudi league game last week.
The red card infuriated Ronaldo, who lashed out at the referee and booted the ball into the stands before continuing to remonstrate with the officials.
Coach Stefano Pioli will need his players to keep their heads against Esteghlal, who Al-Nassr beat 1-0 in the league stage thanks to a late goal from former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.
“We must try to improve every day as we have not yet reached the level where we can compare ourselves with the first level of world football,” Pioli said.
Al-Hilal can no longer call on the services of Brazil’s Neymar but they will still start as heavy favorites in their last-16 tie against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
Al-Ahli meanwhile saw their front three of England’s Ivan Toney, Brazil’s Roberto Firmino and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez all enjoy goalscoring form in the league stage.
German coach Matthias Jaissle will need them keep it going in the last 16 against Qatar’s Al-Rayyan.
“We achieved a historic record in this edition without losing, and this is not easy,” he said.
“We have the support of the fans and we look forward to winning this tournament.”
Japanese sides led the way in the East zone’s league phase, with last season’s runners-up Yokohama F-Marinos topping the table ahead of compatriots Kawasaki Frontale.
Yokohama, now coached by Gareth Southgate’s former England assistant Steve Holland, play China’s Shanghai Port in the last 16.
Kawasaki face Shanghai Shenhua while a third Japanese team, the domestic champions Vissel Kobe, take on South Korea’s Gwangju.
At least one non-Japanese team is guaranteed to advance in the East zone, with Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim meeting Thailand’s Buriram United.
Johor’s Argentine coach Hector Bidoglio has been impressed with his team’s performances so far.
“Before the start of the competition we set our target to qualify for the next stage,” he said after they booked their place with a 5-2 win over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers.
“But now we have not only qualified but we did it by showing our type of football.”
Last-16 games are played over two legs, with the winners going through to a finals stage to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.


Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout

Updated 28 February 2025
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Guardiola rules out mass Man City clearout

  • Guardiola told his pre-match press conference on Friday that his experienced players would have an important role next season
  • "There are players here that are over 30 and they will be part of the future of this club"

LONDON: Pep Guardiola says his veteran Manchester City stars have a key role to play in the club’s rebuild as he tries to recapture former glories after a chastening season.
City have just the FA Cup still to play for in terms of silverware after the collapse of their Premier League title defense and their Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
Guardiola’s team host second-tier Plymouth in the fifth round on Saturday.
The club have been criticized for not being quicker to renew an aging squad that has delivered six out of the past seven Premier League titles.


City made four signings in the January transfer window — Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico Gonzalez and Vitor Reis — illustrating the scale of the rebuild required following injuries and a loss of form for key players.
But Guardiola told his pre-match press conference on Friday that his experienced players would have an important role next season.
“There are players here that are over 30 and they will be part of the future of this club,” he said on Friday.
“Except Kevin — Kevin and the club will decide in the future — the others have contracts and next season I expect them to be here. They are going to help us.”
He added: “We cannot do it just with the new ones or the old ones. We have to be all together... It’s really, really important at the end of the season, the next season.
“I count with Gundo (Gundogan, 34), I count with Berni (Bernardo Silva, 30), I count with all the players that have a contract. They are there. I have no doubt about that.”
Guardiola, whose team are trying to reach the FA Cup final for a third straight season, is refusing to take Plymouth lightly.
The southcoast team, in the Championship relegation zone, shocked runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.
“We played many times in the Carabao (League) Cup and the FA Cup against lower league teams and always they are tricky,” he said.
“What these teams do, they do really well. And if you are not ready you are in trouble. We have a chance to arrive in the last eight of the FA Cup again and we want to do it.”