After Messi show, Al-Hilal supporters eye trophy success at new home of Kingdom Arena

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Updated 01 February 2024
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After Messi show, Al-Hilal supporters eye trophy success at new home of Kingdom Arena

  • State-of-the-art venue in Riyadh can hold up to 40,000 fans, has retractable roof, fully air-conditioned

RIYADH: The opening night at Kingdom Arena could not have gone any better for new tenants Al-Hilal.

An exciting 4-3 win over Lionel Messi and Inter Miami left fans of Saudi Arabia’s most decorated club thirsting for more action at the state-of-the-art new home in Riyadh.

The highly anticipated match, part of Inter Miami’s preparations ahead of the opening match of the Major League Soccer on Feb. 21, did not disappoint, with new Uruguayan signing Luis Suarez, Messi, via a penalty, and David Ruiz scoring for the visitors while the home team racked up four goals through Aleksander Mitrovic, Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Michael, and Malcolm.

While Al-Hilal’s supporters lapped up the victory on the pitch, and the chance to see Messi in live action perhaps for the last time, there was also delight at the experience in the stands.

Al-Hilal have a stadium worthy of the club, and many fans on social media echoed the same sentiment; “pride.”

Kingdom Arena has the capacity to hold between 30,000 to 40,000 visitors, has a retractable roof, is fully air-conditioned, and boasts 20 VIP hospitality boxes.

The stadium was designed so the stands are close to the pitch, which has dimensions 68m x 105m, while the roof sits at a height of 47m.

Next up for Al-Hilal at Kingdom Arena is another friendly against city rivals Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo, following Messi and co in experiencing the new venue.

After the prolonged break for the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, Al-Hilal will next return to action at the Kingdom Arena first in the Roshn Saudi League when they welcome Al-Raed on Feb. 18, before following that up with the second leg of the AFC Champions League against Sepahan of Iran on Feb. 22 (the first leg is on Feb. 15).

With Al-Hilal top of the SPL with 53 points from 19 matches — seven points ahead of second-place Al-Nassr — and a favorite to claim a record-extending fifth AFC Champions League title, supporters of the Blue Waves could soon be celebrating more trophies at their shiny new home.


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.


Benzema’s double strike gives Al-Ittihad the double

Updated 31 May 2025
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Benzema’s double strike gives Al-Ittihad the double

  • The Frenchman scored in each half to give the Tigers another trophy to celebrate
  • There was an explosion of goalmouth action in the closing stages of the first half

JEDDAH: Karim Benzema scored twice as Al-Ittihad defeated Al-Qadsiah 3-1 on Friday to lift the King Cup and complete the double after winning the Saudi Pro League title earlier in May.

At a delighted King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, the Frenchman scored in each half to give the Tigers another trophy to celebrate with their fans. It marked a 10th King Cup triumph for the club to go along with its 10th league success.

There was an explosion of goalmouth action in the closing stages of the first half. Al-Ittihad had been on top for much of the game but both teams had come close. Fans had to wait until the 34th minute, however, to break the deadlock.

First, Benzema, who scored 21 league goals, did what he does best. Moussa Diaby freed Steven Bergwijn down the right and his cross was chested home by Benzema. 

Then, after 43 minutes, Diaby floated a ball over from the right to Benzema at the far post and while the Frenchman’s header was saved, there was Houssem Aouar to finish from close range.

Just when the Tigers were set to head back in at the break in a very good position, Al-Qadsiah were back in the game. Cameron Puertas was bundled over the box and up stepped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to send Predrag Rajkovic the wrong way.

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After the restart, the next goal was always going to be crucial and though Al-Qadsiah pushed for an equalizer, it was Benzema who settled the tie and won the cup in added time after Qadsiah’s Ezequiel Hernandez had been sent off for a second bookable offense. 

Not for the first time in the game or the season, much of the good work was done by Diaby. The winger broke free on the left to put the ball across the goal for his fellow Frenchman to score from close range to seal the cup and the double with almost the last kick of a hugely successful — and long — season for Al-Ittihad.