RIYADH: Saudi footballers continued their preparations for the 2023 Asian Cup with two training sessions on Tuesday.
Team coach Roberto Mancini led both morning and evening sessions and focused the team on various technical and conditioning routines.
Ali Hazazi and Khaled Al-Ghanam were released from the squad after the final list of players were finalized by Mancini.
The competition, which was postponed to 2024, is set to start on Jan. 12 in Qatar and will see the Green Falcons face Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman in Group F.
But ahead of that, the Saudi team will face Lebanon in a friendly on Thursday at Al-Gharafa Club’s stadium at 4:30PM local time.
They will have an evening training session on Wednesday at Sealine Resort’s stadium.
Saudi footballers ready for Asian Cup at Qatar training camp
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Saudi footballers ready for Asian Cup at Qatar training camp
Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
- The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium
RIYADH: Fans will be granted free entry to Al-Inma Stadium on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia take on Australia in a must-win World Cup qualifier, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Sunday.
The final match of the third round of Asia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium.
The federation’s decision to open the gates free of charge was confirmed via the national team’s fan council on social media platform X, citing “appreciation of the support from the nation’s fans.”
The Green Falcons face a daunting task, as only a win by five goals or more will secure direct qualification to the 2026 tournament.
Failure to meet that target will see Saudi Arabia move into the fourth qualifying round.
That stage features six teams split into two groups, with each group winner earning a direct World Cup berth.
The runners-up will meet in a two-legged playoff to determine Asia’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
