Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League hole already with zero points after two games

Last season’s runners-up slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Ettifaq in the opening round, just two days after lifting the King Salman Club Cup. (Reuters)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League hole already with zero points after two games

  • After an opening game loss at Al-Ettifaq, things got worse for Ronaldo and his teammates with a 2-1 home defeat by Al-Taawoun
  • Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq maintained their 100 percent start to the season with a 2-0 win at Al-Hazem

Al-Nassr’s start to the Roshn Saudi League season went from bad to worse on Friday as they lost 2-0 to Al-Taawoun in front of their own fans in Riyadh.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have now played two and lost two at the start of a campaign that promised so much. It is still early days, of course, but the title hopefuls could find themselves trailing rivals such as Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad by six points come Saturday evening. If the gap grows any larger, the pressure really will be on.

Last season’s runners-up slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Al-Ettifaq in their opening game on Monday, just two days after lifting the King Salman Club Cup. For game two, however, the stars were out in force. Not only did Ronaldo return to the squad after a minor injury but the home fans got their first look at Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana and Sadio Mane, who was the only foreign star to play in their opening defeat.

The game started well enough. Ronaldo treated fans to his trademark stepovers and drew a diving save from Brazilian goalkeeper Mailson with a low shot from outside the area with just a few minutes on the clock. If the home fans were sitting back after that in anticipation of a comfortable victory, they were soon made to think again when the visitors from Buraidah took the lead.

Leandre Tawamba opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Somehow, the Cameroonian striker was left alone inside the six-yard box to meet a corner from Mateus and head home to put his team, who showed last season with their fifth-place finish that they can beat any opponent on their day, ahead.

It was not the only chance that Al-Taawoun had but most of the pressure was applied by the hosts. At the end of the half, Al-Nassr thought they had been given a lifeline when Fofana went down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. After a check with the video assistant referee, however, the official changed his decision and rightly so.

The hosts continued to attack in the second half, with an Anderson Talisca header forcing a fine diving save from his compatriot Mailson. Al-Nassr had picked up the pace and were getting behind the Al-Taawoun defense almost at will but still struggled to create clear opportunities. Ronaldo gestured to the fans more than once to increase the noise levels but his teammates were unable to play their part in giving them something to shout about.

Then the chances did finally come, the first of them to Brozovic, with 13 minutes left. Soon after, a Mane shot was cleared off the line and then a Talisca header went just inches wide. The pressure kept coming but time was running out.

To make matters even worse, the visitors extended their lead after six minutes of added time. Following some slack defending from the hosts, who gave the ball away on the edge of their own area, Sattam Al-Roqi fed Ahmed Bahusayn and that was that.

Yes, there is still a long way to go in this league campaign but losing the first two games of the season was not part of Al-Nassr’s plan and coach Luis Castro has much to ponder.

In contrast, his counterpart at Al-Ettifaq, Steven Gerrard, will be delighted that his team continued their great start to the season with a 2-0 win at Al-Hazem on Friday. The Dammam side has racked up six points out of six despite the absence of captain Jordan Henderson through illness. Swedish striker Robin Quaison scored for a second consecutive game, firing home from the right corner of the area. Vitinho extended the lead seven minutes after the break.

Al-Shabab, in contrast, are still looking for their first win after a 3-1 defeat at Al-Wehda. Along the way, the six-time champions missed two penalties and have only a single point to their name after two games.

The action continues on Saturday with Al-Hilal set to unveil new superstar signing Neymar ahead of their game against Al-Fayha. Champions Al-Ittihad, who like Al-Hilal began their season with a win, take on Al-Tai, while Al-Raed travel to Abha.


Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al-Nassr

Updated 25 June 2025
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Pioli quits as coach of Saudi side Al-Nassr

  • No official reason was given for the split
  • “We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” said Al-Nassr

PARIS: Al-Nassr have parted company with their Italian coach Stefano Pioli, the Saudi side announced on Wednesday.

No official reason was given for the split after only nine months in the post but Pioli’s name has been linked with joining Fiorentina for a second spell in charge of the Serie A side.


“Al-Nassr announce that Mr.Pioli and his staff no longer coach the first team,” Cristiano Ronaldo’s club posted on social media.

“We would like to thank Mr.Pioli and his staff for their work last season,” added Al-Nassr, who finished third in the Saudi Pro League.

Pioli, who guided AC Milan to the 2022 Serie A crown, only joined Al-Nassr in September 2024.

Prior to his near five-year stint at AC Milan, the 59-year-old coached several other Italian sides including Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Lazio and Bologna.


Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona

Updated 25 June 2025
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Green Falcons prepare for Gold Cup quarterfinal with Mexico in Arizona

  • Crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
  • In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad has returned to full training

RIYADH: The Saudi football national team resumed training today in San Diego as preparations intensify for their upcoming quarterfinal match against Mexico in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The crucial showdown is set to take place this Saturday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

On the field, head coach Herve Renard divided the players into two groups. The first group included those who started in the recent match against Trinidad and Tobago. They underwent recovery exercises at the fitness center.

The second group, consisting of the remaining players, held their training session at San Diego Wave facilities. The session began with warm-ups, followed by possession training, finishing exercises, and concluded with stretching routines.

In a positive development, Muhannad Al-Saad returned to full training with the group.

The national team will continue its preparations with a closed training session scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. (San Diego time) at the Performance Center training grounds.


Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico

Updated 24 June 2025
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Green Falcons arrive in San Diego ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal clash with Mexico

  • The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage
  • Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city

SAN DIEGO: The Saudi Arabian national football team touched down in San Diego on Tuesday morning as they prepare for their high-stakes CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal showdown against Mexico on Saturday.

The Green Falcons arrived from Las Vegas following their progression from the group stage in a debut Gold Cup campaign that has seen them reach the knockout rounds at the first time of asking.

Herve Renard’s side finished second in Group D behind hosts the US, having secured crucial results including a pivotal draw against Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend.

The upcoming clash with Group A winners Mexico at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, is expected to draw a large crowd.

Upon arrival in San Diego, Renard gave his players a rest day, allowing the squad time to relax and explore the coastal Californian city.

The team is scheduled to reconvene at their training base later on Tuesday evening.

Preparations for the quarterfinal will intensify on Wednesday, with a closed training session planned for 6:00 p.m. local time.

Saudi Arabia, invited as a guest nation for this edition of the Gold Cup, now seek to upset nine-time champions Mexico in their pursuit of an unprecedented semifinal berth.


Saudi Arabia conclude preparations ahead of decisive Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago

Updated 22 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia conclude preparations ahead of decisive Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago

  • A win against the Caribbean side would guarantee the Green Falcons a place in the knockout stage

LAS VEGAS: Saudi Arabia’s national football team have completed final preparations ahead of their crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup clash with Trinidad and Tobago on Monday.

The Green Falcons trained at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the match — which kicks off in the early hours of the morning in Saudi Arabia — will be played.

The training session was led by head coach Herve Renard, while midfielder Muhannad Al-Saad continued his rehabilitation program under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

Saudi Arabia sit second in Group D, having lost narrowly to the US and beaten Haiti in their previous matches.

A win against Trinidad and Tobago would guarantee the Green Falcons a place in the knockout stage.

A draw could still be enough to progress, but only if Haiti fail to upset group leaders US in the other final-round fixture.


Acclaim for Bounou, Al-Dawsari as world reacts to Al-Hilal’s performance against Real Madrid

Updated 20 June 2025
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Acclaim for Bounou, Al-Dawsari as world reacts to Al-Hilal’s performance against Real Madrid

  • New coach Simone Inzaghi’s tactics praised after Saudi club’s impressive 1-1 draw in FIFA Club World Cup
  • It was on social media, however, that the impact of Al-Hilal’s performance reverberated most

DUBAI: An impressive 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the FIFA World Club Cup has drawn praise from football fans and media alike, with goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou and captain Salem Al-Dawsari receiving particular attention.

Al-Dawsari caused a stir among the media, who recalled his heroics in scoring Saudi Arabia’s winner against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Bounou was a key player for Morocco who reached the semifinals in the same tournament.

There was also recognition of the role played by Simone Inzaghi, the new Al-Hilal coach, who took over the reins following his departure from UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan.

“For Al-Hilal, many foreign players who now play for the club have experience at top teams and stages of tournaments, like Manchester City and World Cup semifinals,” wrote the Washington Post after the encounter at Hard Rock Stadium in Washington.

“Inzaghi has made a big step after guiding Inter Milan to two Champions League finals, now stepping out of his comfort zone.”

Al Jazeera said Real Madrid had labored to the 1-1 result draw against a spirited Al-Hilal and that “Simone Inzaghi’s men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents.”

The BBC compared the Al-Hilal coach’s debut to that of opposite number Xabi Alonso, saying: “Inzaghi will likely be the more satisfied, with his unfancied Al-Hilal side impressing and threatening to deliver a remarkable result even without a prolific marksman of their own, given Aleksandar Mitrovic was ruled out through injury.”

It was on social media, however, that the impact of Al-Hilal’s performance reverberated most.

Many commenters highlighted the challenges posed by 33-year-old Al-Dawsari to Real Madrid debutant Trent Alexander Arnold, who was involved in one of the most high-profile transfers of the summer when he joined the Saudi club from Liverpool just weeks ago.

“I was raving about Salem Al-Dawsari during the Arabian Gulf Cup as one of the best players I have ever seen. An unbelievable talent and Real Madrid found that out for themselves,” journalist David Rhys Williams wrote on X.

Seb Stafford-Bloor of The Athletic echoed the sentiments in his own tweet: “Salem Al-Dawsari is a super player — and he’s had an excellent half. Causing all kinds of problems down Real’s right.”

One user said: “Trent getting dunked on by Salem Al-Dawsari,” while another commented: “Trent getting cooked by Al-Dawsari.” Others posted memes of the Al-Hilal player’s success in the head-to-head battle.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Bounou after a stoppage-time penalty save against Frederico Valverde secured a precious point for Al-Hilal.

“Fede has a very strong shot but he does not look at the keeper. Bounou moved early and could reach it. Bounou is good at penalties,” said Courtois.


On X, @Medias24, with over 180,000 followers, said: “A world-renowned drill specialist, Yassine Bounou, once again demonstrated his instincts against Real Madrid. Marca praises him, FIFA celebrates him, and the numbers confirm: the Moroccan goalkeeper has become a global icon.”

Meanwhile Moroccan football account @MoroccanGrinta proudly tweeted: “Penalty in the 90th minute against Real Madrid? Not a problem when you have Yassine Bounou. The Atlas Lion delivers a masterclass and secures a crucial point for Al-Hilal.”

Sports News Africa posted a video of Bounou’s save and said: “We’ll let you watch yet another save from the best African goalkeeper in history against the GREAT Real Madrid. Yassine Bounou…”