Neymar and Al-Hilal suffer scare in Asian Champions League

Neymar was booked for pushing over an opponent and then angrily kicking the ball at the player as he lay on the pitch. (Reuters)
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Updated 19 September 2023
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Neymar and Al-Hilal suffer scare in Asian Champions League

DUBAI: Brazil star Neymar endured an Asian Champions League debut to forget as Al Hilal had to score deep into injury-time to salvage a 1-1 at home to Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in Riyadh on Monday.
Neymar, signed last month from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported EUR90 million, was making his first start for the record Asian champions having debuted on Friday as a substitute in the Saudi Pro League victory at home to Al Riyadh.
Runners-up in last year’s Champions League, Hilal were fortunate not to lose their Group B opener having gone behind on 52 minutes at King Fahd International Stadium to Toma Tabatadze’s expert finish. Navbahor, the 2022 Uzbekistan Super League runners-up, were competing in the Champions League for the first time.
However, Hilal defender Ali Al Bulaihi rescued a point for the four-time champions in the 100th minute, rising unmarked in the Navbahor area to head home Michael’s corner.
Neymar, who earlier this month became Brazil’s all-time lead goalscorer, had largely a night to forget. The forward was subjected to some particularly robust treatment from Navbahor, and was incensed just before the hour when he was trod on after being dragged to the ground.
Moments later, Neymar was booked for pushing over an opponent and then angrily kicking the ball at the player as he lay on the pitch.
Neymar did have a chance get Hilal back into the game three minutes from time, but his close-range header was straight at Navbahor goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. Yusupov then made a spectacular save in injury-time to deny Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, although he could do nothing to prevent Al Bulaihi’s leveller.
Also in Group D, Iranian debutants Nassaji Mazandaran won 2-0 away to India’s Mumbai City.
Meanwhile, Saudi champions Al Ittihad began their quest for a third Champions League title with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Uzbekistan’s AGMK in Jeddah.
Ittihad, back-to-back winners in 2004 and 2005, went into the Group C opener without Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema, who was injured, but struck twice in six minutes early in the first half.
Haroune Camara, starting in Benzema’s absence, opened the scoring at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on 10 minutes before Romarinho soon doubled the hosts’ advantage.
The Brazilian got his second of the night four minutes before half-time, as Nuno Espirito-Santo’s side eased to the three points.
In the group’s other fixture, Iraq’s Air Force Club held 2007 runners-up Sepahan, of Iran, to a 2-2 draw in Irbil.
In Group B, two-time Asian champions Al Sadd drew 0-0 at home with UAE side Sharjah — Algeria’s Baghdad Bounedjah missed a second-half penalty for the hosts — while Jordan’s Al Faisaly sunk to a 1-0 defeat in injury-time to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in Amman.
The group stage, which this year returned to a home-and-away format for the first time since early 2020, runs until mid-December, with the 10 pool winners and the six best second-placed teams advancing to the knockout rounds. That begins in February. The final takes place, across two legs, in May.


Al-Hilal captain Al-Dawsari out of Club World Cup with hamstring injury

Updated 28 June 2025
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Al-Hilal captain Al-Dawsari out of Club World Cup with hamstring injury

  • This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday’s round of 16 clash against Manchester City
  • Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal’s campaign in the Club World Cup

Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday.

“Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks,” Al-Hilal said in a statement via X.

This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday’s round of 16 clash against Manchester City.

Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal’s campaign in the Club World Cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team’s 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage.

The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid.


Al-Hilal defeat Pachuca 2-0, advance to Club World Cup knockout phase

Updated 27 June 2025
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Al-Hilal defeat Pachuca 2-0, advance to Club World Cup knockout phase

Salem Al-Dawsari scored a fancy goal in the 22nd minute, Marcos Leonardo added a clincher in second-half stoppage time and Al-Hilal defeated CF Pachuca 2-0 on Thursday in Nashville to advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Al-Hilal (1-0-2, 5 points), the most successful club in Saudi Arabia, did not take a loss in Group H play after drawing with Real Madrid and RB Salzburg. Their win vaulted them past Salzburg, who finished with four points after losing 3-0 to Real Madrid on Thursday night.

Yassine Bounou made two saves for Al-Hilal, who will face Group H winners Manchester City in the Round of 16 on Monday in Orlando. Meanwhile, Pachuca (0-3-0, 0 points) will return to Mexico without a point in the tournament.

For the opening goal, Salem Al-Dawsari received a pass over the top from Nasser Al-Dawsari (no relation) and popped a high-arching right-footed shot over Pachuca goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado. The shot bounced into the far corner of the goal.

After Bounou fell on top of a Pachuca chance in the 81st minute, Leonardo put the game out of reach with a goal assisted by Ruben Neves five minutes into second-half stoppage time.


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.