There was a sense of deja vu this week as a Saudi Arabia club went to the top tier of English football and signed one of the world’s best players.
Al-Ittihad have recruited Ashleigh Plumptre from Leicester City which means that one of the stars of the women’s game has made the switch from the home of the Foxes in England’s East Midlands to join the Tigers in the port of Jeddah.
With the 25-year-old on the radar of several big European clubs, the signing has whetted appetites for the second season of the Saudi Women’s Premier League which kicks off next month.
Plumptre is a former England youth international who switched allegiance to Nigeria and was one of the stars of the World Cup that ended last month with the Africans losing to England after a penalty shootout in the knockout stages.
“(I am) grateful to have signed for Al-Ittihad,” Plumptre reportedly said. “I am excited to start this journey alongside some incredible human beings. My journey of stepping into more of myself continues … It’s more than football.”
She joins a Jeddah club on the rise under coach Kelly Lindsay, the former US international who has managed the women’s teams of Afghanistan and Morocco. They have been busy in the transfer market. As well as the new Nigerian defender, there is Morocco’s Salma Amani — who helped the Atlas Lionesses not just become the first Arab team to play at the Women’s World Cup this summer but also to get to the knockout stage.
Former Swedish youth international Nor Mustafa, who arrived by the Red Sea from Scottish club Hibernian, means that the Tigers will be hoping to mount a title challenge this time after finishing fifth out of eight in the inaugural season. For the city of Jeddah to be home to both the male and female champions would be something special.
Fullback Bayan Sadagah is looking forward to continuing the progress already made. “I used to play for Jeddah Eagles and after the Saudi Women’s Pro League was created, our club was acquired by Al-Ittihad,” the defender said. “We were able to use their facilities and we were happy that we were finally being treated as professionals and this really pushed us to be more ambitious. We push ourselves to become better.”
That is the plan for the new season but taking the title from Al-Nassr will not be easy. The Riyadh team are the ones to beat with stars including Lina Boussaha, a former French youth international who played for Paris Saint-Germain before sustaining a serious injury. Her career is now back on track in Saudi Arabia.
Even the newly-promoted teams are ambitious. Al-Qadsia have former Benfica coach Luis Andrade.
“We are aiming to be competitive in the Premier League,” Andrade said as he arrived in the east of the country in August. “We know that we have a lot of work to do but we are not just there to make up the numbers.”
The numbers are improving and there are plans to expand the top tier to 10 teams from next year. Interestingly, there are 30 sides in the second division which is divided into regional groups of six. At the end of the season there will be playoffs with three teams coming up and one going down.
Compared to other Asian powerhouses such as China and especially Japan, there is a determination to try and catch up as quickly as possible and the progress made in a short time has been impressive.
In 2019, the women’s department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation was established. A year later, came the Women’s Community Football League and then the Regional Women’s League in 2021. The Premier League launched in 2022, the same year that the national women’s team played their first-ever international game, defeating the Seychelles 2-0. They now have a FIFA ranking.
There is, of course, a bid to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup. If that is successful, it would be a huge boost to the game in the country but even if not, there is a plan to qualify to the tournament for the first time.
The 2027 World Cup may be a little too early but with 32 teams participating and the likes of the Philippines and Vietnam making the 2023 edition, there is always hope. There are now more than 50,000 schoolgirls playing football, over 1,000 female coaches and regional training centers where the best talent get the best coaching. The development is continuing at a rapid speed.
First though, is the new season. The objective is that this is better than last year in terms of the quality of play and the interest off the pitch. That remains to be seen but the early signs and the early signings such as Plumptre are very promising.
Ashleigh Plumptre’s move to Al-Ittihad adds star power to Saudi Women’s Premier League
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Ashleigh Plumptre’s move to Al-Ittihad adds star power to Saudi Women’s Premier League
- The Nigeria international joins the Jeddah club ahead of the second edition of the top tier competition
- Plumptre said: “I am excited to start this journey alongside some incredible human beings. My journey of stepping into more of myself continues … It’s more than football”
Saudi Pro League and OneFootball team up on official video and editorial content
- Fans can access match clips, highlights, behind-the-scenes footage and viral moments
- Omar Mugharbel: ‘This collaboration is an important step in our commitment to increasing international engagement’
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League and OneFootball have announced a new partnership aimed at expanding the global visibility of one of the world’s fastest-growing football leagues.
Through this collaboration, the SPL will publish and amplify official video and editorial content across OneFootball, bringing worldwide fans closer to the action than ever before.
As part of the partnership, OneFootball will feature video content on its platforms, including content from the SPL’s official social channels. Fans can look forward to match clips, highlights, behind-the-scenes footage and viral moments in vertical and horizontal formats. This initiative aims to enhance the fan experience by providing visual narratives throughout the season.
“We are delighted to partner with OneFootball to bring Saudi Pro League content to football fans across the globe,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League. “This collaboration is an important step in our commitment to increasing international engagement and providing fans everywhere with a closer connection to the excitement and passion of Saudi football.”
In addition to video content, OneFootball will offer official editorial coverage from the SPL in English, ensuring that fans can access timely updates, in-depth analysis, and expert commentary throughout the season.
Patrick Fischer, CEO at OneFootball, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Saudi Pro League to showcase the incredible talent and excitement of football in the region. This collaboration will elevate the league’s content and enhance the overall fan experience, bringing the vibrant world of Saudi football to a wider audience.”
To kick off the collaboration, representatives from OneFootball recently travelled to Saudi Arabia to cover the Saudi Pro League’s “Derby Week,” attending the “Sea Derby” in Jeddah between Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, as well as the “Capital Derby” in Riyadh, featuring Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. OneFootball’s content provided exclusive social media content, behind-the-scenes moments, and in-depth interviews with league representatives, managers and players.
OneFootball will be a primary outlet for publishing the SPL’s official text and video content for global audiences, with the aim of enhancing fan engagement and fostering a deeper connection between the league and its supporters.
Ronaldo delivers another Al-Nassr triumph in Asia
- Al-Nassr on brink of knockout stages after win
RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al-Nassr triumphed 3-1 at Al-Gharafa of Qatar on Monday to move to the brink of the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League Elite with three group games still to play.
All the goals came in the second half as the Saudi Arabians moved onto 13 points and second place in the group, just two points behind leaders Al-Ahli who earlier won 2-1 at Al-Ain of the UAE.
Al-Nassr made most of the running in the first half but just could not find a way through.
Ronaldo had an early shot saved by Sergio Rico and the Spanish goalkeeper made a diving stop to then push away a shot from the Portuguese star as Al-Nassr pressed again after 19 minutes.
Soon after it was the turn of Al-Gharafa to go close and Bento had to get down well to save from Wajdi Kechrida at his near post.
Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty just before the half hour as Matias Nani chopped down Sadio Mane on the left side of the area. It looked a clear decision by the referee and Ronaldo put the ball down on the spot ready to shoot his team into the lead before VAR intervened to overrule and keep the game goalless.
Ronaldo had a great chance in the 34th minute but somehow headed Marcelo Brozovic’s left-sided free-kick wide from close range.
It had been a frustrating period for the star and it got worse just before the break as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a goalbound shot blocked.
He was determined to put it right, though, and did so within the first minute of the second half. Angelo got to the byline on the right and his perfect cross was met by Ronaldo’s thundering header that flew into the bottom corner to give Rico no chance.
Two minutes before the hour, Angelo swapped passes with Otavio and then skipped past the goalkeeper to extend Al-Nassr’s lead and then, six minutes later, Ronaldo got his second. He was found inside the box by Angelo, turned his defender and then fired home high into the net.
That was that, or so everyone thought, before Spanish striker Joselu pulled one back with 17 minutes remaining.
There was still time for Al-Gharafa’s Seydou Sano to receive his marching orders following two yellow cards, but Al-Nassr saw out the match to complete another perfect day for Saudi Arabian clubs in Asia.
Saudi Pro League partners with Word Football Summit for WFS Asia show in Riyadh
- Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders
LONDON: The Saudi Pro League, Asia’s top-ranked football league, and the World Football Summit announced on Monday a strategic partnership ahead of the WFS Asia 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Set to take place on Dec. 2-3 at Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, the event will bring together more than 2,000 industry leaders to discuss and shape the future of football business.
“We are delighted to partner with the World Football Summit,” said Omar Mugharbel, CEO of the Saudi Pro League.
“This collaboration serves as a platform to welcome the global football industry to Saudi Arabia, fostering opportunities for shared growth and mutual prosperity. From our humble beginnings with just eight teams to becoming Asia’s top-ranked league today, our journey highlights the transformative power of football in driving both sporting excellence and societal progress,” he added.
Jan Alessie, co-founder and director of the World Football Summit said the SPL’s success in recent years has been rooted in three key pillars: nurturing young talent, securing world-class international players, and improving club governance.
This evolution aligns seamlessly with WFS Asia’s mission to drive innovation in football business, making the event a natural platform for the SPL to share its insights and experiences.
“The Saudi Pro League’s evolution represents one of the most remarkable stories in modern football,” he said.
“Their commitment to developing local talent while attracting global stars has created a unique model that deserves industry-wide attention. This partnership will provide invaluable insights for football executives worldwide,” he added.
The key themes for the 2024 edition of WFS Asia are the integration of cutting-edge technology in football and the innovation of fan engagement strategies to enhance the sport’s appeal and accessibility.
Additionally, the summit will emphasize the development of sports tourism, showcasing football’s potential to drive economic growth. Sustainability in football will also take center stage, highlighting environmentally conscious practices within the industry.
The event will further spotlight the growth of women’s football and the importance of youth development programs, reinforcing the Kingdom’s dedication to inclusivity and nurturing future talent.
Netflix showcases Ittihad and Ahli episodes of new docuseries at exclusive Jeddah screening
- Six-part “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff” will be available for streaming on the platform from Thursday
- Al-Ittihad’s episode is titled, “The struggle to achieve glory,” while Al-Ahli’s is “Counterattack”
JEDDAH: Ahead of its official launch on Nov. 21, Netflix gave an exclusive first look at its new documentary series, “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff,” on Tuesday night with two viewing events in Jeddah that showcased episodes covering the city’s two giant clubs.
The screenings were attended by club officials, members of the media, sports bloggers and Al-Ahli’s German coach Matthias Jaissle.
Al-Ittihad’s episode is titled, “The struggle to achieve glory,” while Al-Ahli’s is “Counterattack.”
Two more exclusive screening events will take place in Riyadh on Wednesday to unveil episodes on Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr.
Attendees at the Muvi theater in Jeddah were treated to storylines on Karim Benzema’s experiences during his first season at Al-Ittihad, and Jaissle’s leadership at Al-Ahli as the club battled to gain qualification to the AFC Champions League on their return to the Saudi Pro League after relegation two season earlier.
As well as shining a spotlight on Jeddah’s big-name players, the episodes also showcased emerging local talents from the two clubs, such as Al-Ahli’s forward Feras Al-Buraikan, and the 16-year-old striker Talal Hajji of Al-Ittihad.
Jaissle said that he was impressed with the first look at “Saudi Pro League: Kickoff,” and described Al-Ahli’s episode in three words: “Overwhelmed, emotional and authentic as well.”
“I really enjoyed the special documentary on Al-Ahli, and it offers an exclusive look into the world of Saudi league, showcasing Al-Ahli dynamics and individual player journeys,” he said.
Adnan Jastania, a renowned Saudi football analyst who watched Al-Ittihad’s episode, said: “It really shows the drama, excitement and passion for football in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed the intra-history of Al-Ittihad and the culture of the oldest sports in Saudi.”
Set to launch on Thursday, the docuseries will have six episodes in total and will focus on the battle for the 2023-24 SPL title with focus on then-reigning champions Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq.
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes dented in Indonesia
- Depressing outcome for Herve Renard
JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 in Indonesia on Tuesday to leave hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in serious doubt.
Just six points in six games in Group C and no goals in the last four matches makes for depressing reading for head coach Herve Renard.
A goal in each half from Marselino Ferdinan had 60,000-plus fans in Jakarta on their feet and it will not have gone unnoticed by Renard — in his second game back in charge — that this creative talent made a difference just as his, Salem Al-Dawsari, was missing through injury.
And he was missed. Without the 2022 Asian Player of the Year, Saudi Arabia may have had the majority of the ball, but they created little going forward and were hit multiple times by the rapid counters of Indonesia.
Renard said: “Indonesia deserved to win this game. We now have four games and it will be tough and it will be tough for everybody. I accept the challenge to take Saudi Arabia to the World Cup; it doesn’t matter which way but we have to go to the World Cup.”
In the opening exchanges there was a white wave and Saudi Arabia could count themselves lucky that they were not at least a goal down inside the first 10 minutes.
Indeed, the hosts hit the post in the opening minute as Marselino could not quite connect with a right-sided cross from Ivar Jenner and all watched as the ball came back off the woodwork.
Rafael Struick had another great chance in the ninth minute, running on to a Thom Haye ball over the top but with just the goalkeeper to beat, Ahmed Al-Kassar made the save.
The Green Falcons thought they had an advantage midway through the first half. Justin Hubner’s leaping challenge against Mohammed Al-Qahtani succeeded in getting the ball but also ended with his boot in the face of the young Al-Hilal star. When the referee went to the pitchside monitor, the home fans feared the worst but, in the end, a yellow card was shown.
If that was a little fortunate for Indonesia, the lead they took after 32 minutes was deserved.
Saudi Arabia, already aggrieved at a couple of decisions, felt that they should have been given a penalty and then watched in horror as the hosts broke forward. Ragnar Oratmangoen pulled the ball back for Marselino standing near the penalty spot and the Oxford United player took his time, twisted and turned and then curled home into the top corner.
The referee ignored the protests from the men in green and seconds after the restart, Struick was through on goal again but just could not quite get the final touch.
Just before the break Indonesia went close again with Calvin Verdonk volleying just wide from the left. Firas Al-Buraikan then had a rare sight of goal but his shot on the turn was blocked.
Renard would have been the happier of the two coaches to hear the half-time whistle, but both he and his opposite number Shin Tae-yong knew there was a long way to go.
Saudi Arabia started brightly after the break and put pressure on the hosts without creating real chances and it was another breakaway that led to Indonesia’s second.
Verdonk broke down the right and fed Marselino inside the area. His first attempt was blocked by Ali Al-Bulaihi but fell kindly for the Oxford star who then lifted the ball over Al-Kassar into the net.
As they had to, Saudi Arabia started to push forward more and more. Al-Bulaihi headed just over from close range and then the lively Abdullah Al-Hamdan nodded just wide with a fine attempt that had goalkeeper Maarten Paes scrambling across his line. Soon after, the same forward headed straight into the arms of the No. 1.
There were not many more chances to come, though Mohamed Kanno shot against the bar, and the game ended with a flurry of cards, including a second yellow for Hubner.
Saudi Arabia will argue that the defender should have seen red long before but, in truth, they were second best for too much of the match.
Now, the race for the second of the automatic places behind leaders Japan, way ahead on 16 points, could not be tighter with four teams on six and one of those sides, Australia, facing Bahrain later on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia will be hoping for a favor and, with just one win in six, they need all the help they can get.
