Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup hopes dashed by Al-Ahly

The home fans will point to a first half missed penalty from Karim Benzema as a turning point. (Reuters)
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Updated 16 December 2023
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Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup hopes dashed by Al-Ahly

  • Though the game hung in the balance for an hour, the Egyptian side were too clinical for the reigning Saudi champions and eventually ran out 3-1 winners
  • Al-Ahly’s reward is a semi-final against Fluminense of Brazil on Monday, while Al-Ittihad’s focus shifts to three league games in the space of a week before the end of the year

Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign ended on Friday with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Al-Ahly in their second-round clash in Jeddah.

Thousands of the Egyptian side’s supporters were on their feet for much of the 90 minutes at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, as their team ultimately proved to be too clinical for the reigning Saudi champions to cope with.

Al-Ittihad fans might point to Karim Benzema’s missed penalty in the first half as a turning point but the empty seats in the home section of the stadium when the final whistle sounded told their own story.

The reward for the African champions is a semi-final showdown with South American champions Fluminense of Brazil on Monday. Al-Ittihad, who defeated Auckland City from New Zealand 3-0 in the first round of the competition on Tuesday, return to league action on Dec. 23 with a home game against Al-Raed.

For the first hour on Friday the match hung in the balance, amid an atmosphere worthy of a meeting between the champions of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Given the passionate level of support from the Al-Ahly fans, at times their players must have felt like they were playing at home.

The first half was played at a fast pace as both teams looked to get forward, even if they struggled to create clear chances. Romarinho had one of the best early on, from inside the area, forcing a good save from Mohammed El-Shenawy.

Al-Ahly were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute when Hassan Kadesh handled a long pass while under pressure from two Egyptian attackers. Despite the wall of yellow behind the goal, Ali Maaloul kept his cool and sent the ball straight down the middle past the diving Abdullah Al-Mayouf.

Seven minutes before the break, Benzema got sight of goal when a fine cross from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti found him on the left side of the area, but his low shot was straight at El-Shenawy.

As Al-Ittihad continued to push for an equalizer they left themselves open to a counterattack and were almost caught out, with Zakaria Al-Hawsawi forced to put the ball behind for a corner.

Before it could be taken, however, the referee was called to the monitor to check a possible earlier handball by Mohammed Abdelmonem and, after a review, he awarded a penalty to Al-Ittihad. Up stepped Benzema in front of a wall of red — and green laser beams shining into his eyes — but El-Shenawy went the right way to make a comfortable diving save.

Near the end of a dramatic first half, Al-Ahly almost scored a second when Kahraba latched onto a poor pass-back from Ahmed Hegazi, but Al-Mayouf was there to make the save.

Al-Ittihad effectively started the second half with two new full-backs. First, coach Marcelo Gallardo replaced Hawsawi with Ahmed Bamsaud at half time. Then, moments after the restart, right-back Al-Shanqiti seemed to pick up a hamstring injury and Madallah Al-Olayan took over.

Within minutes, the two-time Asian champions almost leveled the game. Igor Coronado slipped the ball through to Faisal Al-Ghamdi on the left side of the area, whose low shot squirmed through the legs of El-Shenawy but hit the post and rebounded into the grateful arms of the veteran goalkeeper.

Instead of 1-1, the score became 2-0 just before the hour mark. Hussein El-Shahat, who was making a record 13th appearance at the Club World Cup, had possession of the ball just inside the left corner of the area, made a little room for himself and then curled a delightful shot past the diving Al-Mayouf, sending the Egyptian fans wild.

The game was effectively over just two minutes later when Al-Ahly found huge gaps in the Al-Ittihad defense and Kharaba pulled the ball back from the byline for Emam Ashour to roll the ball home. There was a check for a possible foul in the build-up but the goal stood and that was that.

Al-Ahly took their foot off the gas at that point, their thoughts no doubt turning to their semi-final, but Anthony Modeste’s last-minute red card for an elbow on Hegazi might come back to haunt the team.

Soon after that, Benzema got Al-Ittihad’s consolation as he fired home from close range to claim his sixth Club World Cup goal.

The game will live long in the memories of Al-Ahly fans, as will the celebrations that followed. Al-Ittihad now need to regroup and bounce back on the domestic front, with three games coming up in the space of a week before the end of the year.


Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

Updated 05 June 2025
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Green Falcons beat Bahrain to set up FIFA World Cup qualifier showdown with Australia

  • Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday

RIFFA: Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Riffa on Thursday to tee up a showdown with Australia for the second automatic spot in AFC FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.

With Australia snatching a last-minute victory against already qualified Japan earlier, Herve Renard's men had to win to push the race for second to Tuesday.

The Saudis got off to the perfect start, when on 16 minutes rising star Musab Al Juwayr met captain Salem Al-Dawsari's pinpoint cross to the back post to volley home.

The visitors then survived a few nervy moments in the second half before Abdulrahman Al Obud made safe the result 12 minutes from time with a goal on the counter.

The win keeps Saudi third, three points behind Australia, although with a far inferior goal difference.

Only a huge victory for the Gulf side in Jeddah would see them leapfrog the Socceroos.


Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach

Updated 05 June 2025
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Al-Hilal sign Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as new coach

  • Inzaghi, 49, fills role of Jorge Jesus who was fired last month
  • First challenge is FIFA Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal announced on Thursday Simone Inzaghi as their new head coach, replacing Jorge Jesus who was fired last month.

The announcement was made in a video posted on the club’s X account shortly after midnight.

“My name is Simone Inzaghi. And today begins my story with Al-Hilal,” he says at the end of the 40-second clip.

He is shown wearing his customary black suit, tying his shoes, putting on a watch and adjusting his tie.

Inzaghi’s Inter Milan suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in Saturday’s Champions League final, prompting the Italian to step down.

He joined Inter in 2021 and won 141 of 217 games as coach. He was at Serie A rivals Lazio for five years before taking over at Inter.

Al-Hilal parted ways with Portuguese coach Jesus at the start of May, who led the Riyadh team to 83 wins in 105 games, in his second stint with the club.

Defending champions Hilal finished second in the Saudi Pro League, eight points behind Al-Ittihad.

Inzaghi’s first order of business will be in the US, where Al-Hilal will join the best teams in the world, including the 49-year-old’s former side Inter, in the FIFA Club World Cup which runs from June 14 to July 13.

Al-Hilal are drawn in Group H with Real Madrid, Pachuca and Salzburg.


Green Falcons finalize preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

Updated 03 June 2025
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Green Falcons finalize preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

  • The squad is scheduled to hold its final training session on Wednesday at Bahrain National Stadium

DHAHRAN: The Saudi Arabian national football team concluded a key training session on Tuesday evening as preparations intensify for their upcoming AFC World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.

Their crucial qualifier will kick off this Thursday as part of the ninth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard, the Green Falcons trained at Ettifaq Club Stadium in Dammam, with the session featuring warm-ups, passing drills, tactical exercises, and a full-pitch training match between two squads.

The team left for Bahrain after the session.

On the injury front, players Muhannad Al-Saad and Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti continued their respective rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the national team’s medical staff.

The squad is scheduled to hold its final training session on Wednesday at Bahrain National Stadium, with the first 15 minutes open to media coverage.


Saudi national team steps up preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

Updated 01 June 2025
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Saudi national team steps up preparations for Bahrain World Cup qualifier

  • Several players were sidelined due to injuries
  • Team will hold closed training session on Monday evening

RIYADH: The Saudi national football team resumed training on Sunday evening as preparations intensify for Thursday’s crucial clash against Bahrain in the ninth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard, the session at Ettifaq Club Stadium featured warm-ups, possession drills, tactical exercises, and stretching routines.

Several players were sidelined due to injuries, including Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud, and Jihad Zekr, who was injured during the recent King’s Cup final, as well as Muhannad Al-Saad, who was hurt in a previous friendly.

Mohamed Bakr continued his rehabilitation program, while Muteb Al-Harbi began recovery work with the medical team. Defender Abdulelah Al-Amri took part in recovery drills only.

The team will hold a closed training session on Monday evening as preparations continue.


Green Falcons hold Alkhobar training session in preparation for World Cup qualifiers

Updated 31 May 2025
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Green Falcons hold Alkhobar training session in preparation for World Cup qualifiers

  • French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session
  • Team preparations resume tomorrow night with full training session

KHOBAR: The Saudi national football team held a training session on Saturday in Alkhobar, as they continue preparing for the decisive ninth and 10th rounds of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

French coach Herve Renard supervised the team as they held a light recovery session at the health facilities of the Green Falcons’ base camp, a media statement said.

Injured left back Muteb Al-Harbi continued his rehabilitation program under the medical staff’s supervision, while teammate Mohammed Bakr resumed physical training with the team’s fitness coach.

After the recovery session ended, Renard gave the players some free time, with the squad scheduled to return later this evening at their base.

The Green Falcons’ preparations resume tomorrow night with a full training session at 7 p.m. in Ettifaq Club Stadium.

The first 15 minutes of the session will be open to the media to offer a glimpse into the team’s readiness as the qualifiers draw near.

Saudi Arabia stands at third place in Group C with 10 points from eight matches. Japan tops the group on 20 points, while second-place Australia has 13 points.

The Green Falcons play against Bahrain on June 5 and Australia on June 10.