JEDDAH: Karim Benzema grabbed the headlines on Friday but Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun shared the points with a 1-1 draw in this top of-the-table clash in the Roshn Saudi League.
The French striker guarantees goals wherever he goes and did just that in Buraidah, though perhaps not quite in the way that many expected as he netted for both teams.
Going into the game, the defending champions were fourth, two points behind Al-Taawoun in the standings and looking to bounce back from a blip in form that had seen a draw with Al-Fayha followed by a derby loss to Jeddah rivals Al-Ahli.
Ittihad took the lead midway through the first half.
It was made by Igor Coronado. The Brazilian was galloping down the right, had one look into a crowded penalty area and then picked out Benzema with a perfect cross and the current holder of the FIFA Ballon D’Or made it look easy — though it was far from it — to climb and head the ball home from close range for his fourth of the season in his eighth league appearance.
It was a welcome strike for Benzema as it was his first for more than a month, though injury has played a part, and also for Ittihad who had failed to find the net in their two previous league outings. Talk of a goal drought that was beginning to materialize has been put to bed.
After a bright start from Al-Taawoun, who would have gone top above Al-Hilal with victory as they had collected an impressive 22 points from the first nine games of the season, it quietened the fans but they were on their feet after 26 minutes.
There didn’t seem to be much danger when Alvaro Medran floated over a corner but there was Benzema, rising at the near post to head into his own net past the despairing dive of Marcelo Grohe.
The two goals reflected a finely balanced contest but the headlines very nearly went elsewhere as, on the stroke of half-time, Musa Barrow almost scored one of the goals of the season. The Gambian goal-getter was fully 35 meters from goal when he unleashed an unstoppable shot that beat Grohe but cannoned back off the crossbar. It would have been a spectacular strike and he was to hit the woodwork again in the second half.
After the restart, the game ebbed and flowed and both teams looked to turn one point into three. Brazilian goalkeepers Grohe and Mailson both played their part in ensuring that it ended all square.
It was a fitting scoreline and while it means that Ittihad have now not won in their past three league games, coach Nuno Santo should not be too disappointed at taking a point from a team that had won their previous eight league games at home. These days, a draw in Buraidah is a fine result indeed.
And the hosts have shown once again that they can go toe-to-toe with the big boys. After the 2-0 win at Al-Nassr early in the season, Taawoun coach Pericles Chamusca was disappointed to lose an exciting game to Al-Ahli 3-2. It remains the only loss so far in this campaign.
Last season the team were capable of beating any other in the league but a lack of consistency meant a fifth-place finish. At the moment, however, they are picking up regular points and increasingly look like a force to be reckoned with as does Karim Benzema — at both ends of the pitch.
Karim Benzema scores both goals as Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun share spoils in SPL clash
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Karim Benzema scores both goals as Al-Ittihad and Al-Taawoun share spoils in SPL clash
- The French striker guarantees goals wherever he goes and did just that in Buraidah
- Going into the game, the defending champions were fourth, two points behind Al-Taawoun in the standings
Coach Stefano Pioli confident as Al-Nassr prepare for AFC Champions League Elite semi showdown
- Riyadh giant Al-Nassr are one of three Saudi Pro League sides in the semifinals
- Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli have also advanced to the last four and will meet on Tuesday
JEDDAH: Al-Nassr coach Stefano Pioli declared his side injury-free ahead of Wednesday’s Asian Champions League Elite semifinal against Kawasaki Frontale in Jeddah as the Saudi Pro League side look to reach the final for the first time in almost 30 years.
The Riyadh-based outfit last made the decider in 1995, but a brace from Jhon Duran and strikes by Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a 4-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday to move the Saudi side to the cusp of a first title.
“We are ready for the match, but in training we will decide which group is going to play,” Pioli said. “The team is ready to play the game with great spirit, high performance.”
Al-Nassr are one of three Saudi Pro League sides in the semifinals, the first time a single nation has dominated the latter stages of the competition to such an extent.
The huge injection of cash into the country’s leading clubs by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2023 which prompted the signing of numerous high-profile players from around the world is having a major impact on this year’s competition.
Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli have also advanced to the last four and will meet on Tuesday.
Japan’s Kawasaki are the only team from their half of the confederation left in the competition after their win over Qatar’s Al-Sadd, and the J-League side have been further disadvantaged by having one day less to recover than Al-Nassr.
Frontale needed extra-time to defeat Felix Sanchez’s side and coach Shigetoshi Hasebe admitted he was concerned about his players’ lack of freshness ahead of the Al-Nassr clash.
“All the players are tired because they played for 120 minutes, which is very difficult for us,” he said. “But we’ll be playing in a different stadium, so we can have a new feeling and I can imagine the players will play very well tomorrow night.”
Kawasaki midfielder Kento Tachibanada stressed it was important not to obsess over the reputations of their opponents.
“The key point is not to be afraid of the famous players and their big names,” he said. “Many people think the teams from Saudi will win, but I want to break that type of image tomorrow night.”
AFC Champions League Elite trophy tours NEOM ahead of final in Jeddah
- NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development
JEDDAH: The official AFC Champions League Elite trophy made a special journey across NEOM this week, as excitement builds for the tournament’s final in Jeddah on Saturday.
As a tournament partner for the last eight matches of this year’s competition, including the final, NEOM has been showcasing the trophy at key locations across its 26,500-square-kilometer development.
The tour took in some of NEOM’s most striking destinations, from the snow-covered slopes of Trojena to the shores of the Adventure Sports Hub and through the NEOM Nature Region.
Accompanied by Mohammed Al-Burayk, NEOM Sports Club ambassador, the tour shone a light on the wide range of sports that are becoming central to NEOM’s vision for the future, from football and skiing to kitesurfing and beyond.
Jan Paterson, managing director of NEOM Sport, said: “Hosting the trophy at NEOM is about much more than the game. It’s a moment that connects our people and our regions to one of Asia’s top sporting stages, reflecting how sport is an integral part of the fabric of NEOM.”
NEOM’s partnership with the Asian Football Confederation has also supported several grassroots initiatives, including the Shuhub Community Youth Football Program, which has engaged around 10,000 young people across Saudi Arabia so far.
Through the collaboration, local boys and girls from football community groups have enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including participating in AFC matches as player mascots, center circle children and the first-ever trophy handover by children at the AFC Champions League 2023/24 final.
Al-Hilal’s Jorge Jesus plays down foreign player advantage ahead of AFC Champions League semifinal against Al-Ahli
- Jesus, who has won five titles during his time at the Riyadh giants, said that both teams are familiar with each other’s strengths and the scale of the occasion
JEDDAH: Al-Hilal manager Jorge Jesus says that Al-Ahli’s larger contingent of foreign players will not be a decisive factor when the two sides meet in the AFC Elite Champions League semifinal in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference at Al-Inmaa Stadium, Jesus said: “Each team makes its own choices. Al-Ahli may have more foreign players, but having one more or one less doesn’t tip the balance.”
Jesus, who has won five titles during his time at the Riyadh giants, said that both teams are familiar with each other’s strengths and the scale of the occasion.
“We are aware of the size and intensity of this match. It’s a big continental game between two great clubs,” he said.
The Portuguese coach also praised the growing strength of Saudi Arabian football, pointing to the fact that three Saudi clubs have reached the semifinal stage.
“Having three Saudi teams in the semifinals proves the strength of Saudi football and the competitiveness of its clubs,” Jesus said.
On the other side, Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle described the showdown as a “summit between two major teams” and said his players were relishing the challenge.
“It will be a tough game, and we are preparing ourselves well. Playing at home and with our fans gives us a real opportunity,” Jaissle said.
While acknowledging that Al-Hilal benefited from an extra day of rest in the run-up to the match, Jaissle was confident in Al-Ahli’s squad depth.
“We have 12 foreign players, but I don’t separate them from the Saudis. We have a strong group overall, and what matters is the performance,” he said.
Reflecting on Al-Ahli’s run to the last four, Jaissle added: “Our previous results in Asia show that we can reach the final. We trust ourselves.”
Five things to look out for at the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals in Jeddah
- Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli face off in an all-Saudi clash on Tuesday, while Al-Nassr take on Kawasaki Frontale of Japan the following day
LONDON: Three Saudi Arabian teams entered the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah, and all three progressed to the last four. On Tuesday, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal meet in the first semi-final while, 24 hours later, Al-Nassr take on Kawasaki Frontale of Japan. Here are five things to look out for as the continent’s premier club competition reaches its climax.
Al-Dawsari the main man for Al-Hilal
The headlines wrote themselves after Al-Hilal thrashed Gwangju FC 7-0 on Friday. A team that had looked uncharacteristically shaky on the home front was suddenly back to doing its favorite thing, winning big in big Asian games.
Coach Jorge Jesus would have been delighted with the fact that all seven goals against the South Koreans were scored by different players. Perhaps the best was Salem Al-Dawsari’s effort as he moved to nine goals for the tournament so far. That is an incredible effort for a player who is not a striker and is surrounded by players who love nothing more than to get on the scoresheet.
So for all the famous foreign talent, it is a very familiar face that Al-Ahli will have to be wary of on Tuesday. Al-Dawsari is in some of the best form of an exceptional career. He will take some stopping and, on Friday’s evidence, so will Al-Hilal.
Recent Ahli win means nothing but Firmino on fire
“Bring on Al-Hilal” chanted the Al-Ahli fans as their team defeated Buriram United 3-0 on Saturday.
Understandably so. It was just a few weeks ago that Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick to give the Greens a famous 3-2 win over the Blues in Riyadh. That will give the Jeddah giants confidence but will not actually mean that much when the two teams take the pitch in Jeddah. Beating Al-Hilal once a season is not easy, twice is special.
Yet Al-Hilal will know that they lost to a team without Roberto Firmino because the former Liverpool star is not registered for the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian took out the frustration of prolonged inactivity on Buriram on Saturday with a top-class display of attacking vision, creativity and no small goal threat.
It has been a mixed season for “Bobby” but if he can down Al-Hilal and take Al-Ahli to a third final and a first title then his status as club legend will be assured.
Al-Nassr look to Ronaldo to make it an all-Saudi final
Al-Nassr made short work of Yokohama F. Marinos, winning 4-1 against the Japanese team. The only downside was the late goal conceded.
To be honest, Stefano Pioli’s men were not tested too much and swept aside the visitors in waves of attacks in the first half. Jhon Duran scored twice and his cutting edge will be needed in the next game. Yokohama are bottom of the J. League and were poor defensively. Kawasaki Frontale will not be quite as generous.
The pressure is on the Yellows. They have never been Asian champions. If they lose here then the season is almost over given that they are eight points behind an Al-Ittihad team that is resting and recovering while its title rivals are playing in Asia.
The likes of Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte have won big prizes but none more so than Cristiano Ronaldo. His experience and leadership will be crucial. Losing at the semi-final stage is always painful but will be especially so with the knowledge that there is a Saudi Arabian rival waiting.
Kawasaki ready to learn from other easterners
The Japanese team have underachieved in Asia in their past 10 appearances but eventually made it to the semi-finals for the first time on Sunday with a 3-2 win over Al-Sadd. After three disappointing results from East Asian teams in the previous two days, it is good for the competition that there is a representative from the other side of the continent.
Kawasaki are up against it. Al-Nassr have had an extra day’s rest and the Japanese team had to go into extra-time. Al-Nassr have the home support too. Yet all that means there is little pressure on the four-time J. League champions.
In the other three quarterfinals, all the Saudi Arabian teams scored early and the games were soon over. Kawasaki will be determined not to make the same mistakes. If they can keep it tight then the tension and frustration may grow.
It is not the first all-Saudi Champions League semi-final
This is the first time in the tournament’s history that three teams from one country are in the last four. The Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli semi-final is not, however, the first time that Saudi Arabian teams have met at this stage.
In 2012 there was the Jeddah derby. Al-Ittihad defeated their local rivals Al-Ahli 1-0 thanks to Naif Hazazi. The second leg was at the same Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. Al-Ittihad were ready to get to another final but ended up losing 2-0. Moataz Al-Mousa scored just before the break and then, as extra-time loomed, Victor Simoes won it for the Greens who then lost 3-0 to Ulsan of South Korea in the final.
In 2021, it was time for the Riyadh derby, a one-legged affair. Moussa Marega put Al-Hilal ahead in the first half. Soon after the restart, Talisca equalized for Al-Nassr and then, with 20 minutes remaining, Salem Al-Dawsari struck to score one of the most famous goals of his career to send the Blues to the final where they went on to win a fourth crown.
He will be looking to do something similar on Tuesday.
Ronaldo scores and leads Al-Nassr into AFC Champions Elite semifinals
- In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Cristiano Ronaldo led Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr to a 4-1 win over Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Saturday.
The 40-year-old scored his eighth goal of the tournament during a dominant first half performance in Jeddah, which is hosting all of the games in the tournament from the quarterfinal stage to the final on May 3.
In Wednesday’s semifinal, Al-Nassr will take on Al-Sadd of Qatar or Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, who meet on Sunday.
Jhon Duran, signed for over $100 million from Aston Villa in January, opened the scoring from close range.
Four minutes later, Sadio Mane doubled Al-Nassr’s lead, the former Liverpool forward firing home a fierce low shot from the left of the area.
There was still time before the break for Ronaldo to give Al-Nassr, looking for a first ever continental title, one foot in the last four. Goalkeeper Park Il-kyu spilled a shot from Marcelo Brozovic and Ronaldo, from close range, was on hand to score his 33rd goal of the season in all competitions.
Duran scored his second and Al-Nassr’s fourth four minutes after the break, and Anderson Lopes grabbed a consolation for the five-time Japanese champion.
Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League rival Al-Ahli defeated Buriram United of Thailand 3-0.
The damage was done early. After just four minutes, former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez scored with a low shot from the right side of the area after Buriram failed to clear. Two minutes later, Brazilian winger Galeno made it 2-0 and Roberto Firmino finished off.
Al-Ahli, a two-time finalist, will take on Al-Hilal, the four-time champion, in an all-Saudi semifinal on Tuesday.
On Friday, Al-Hilal thrashed Gwangju 7-0 with all seven coming from different scorers.
After Al-Hilal’s relatively poor run of form domestically, coach Jorge Jesus was delighted with the result and performance. “We’ve been under pressure in the Saudi Pro League, and the players have shown great focus despite that,” Jesus said.
“Without commitment, we couldn’t have achieved this. I believe we’re on the right path, creating a good atmosphere for everyone involved — players and staff.”
