Record-breaking Al-Hilal into Asian semis and world footballing history

Al-Hilal sat level with Welsh team The New Saints for the world record for consecutive victories. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 March 2024
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Record-breaking Al-Hilal into Asian semis and world footballing history

  • 28 consecutive wins passes world mark of The New Saints of Wales
  • Semifinal against UAE’s Al-Ain beckons in Asian Champions League

Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the second leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday to take the tie 4-0 on aggregate and move into the last four, while setting a new world record for consecutive wins.

Before kickoff in the third Classico in the space of two weeks — all won by the Blues — Al-Hilal sat level with Welsh team The New Saints for the world record for consecutive victories. The streak reached 28 in Jeddah and means that the Blues are out in front and officially the most in-form team the world of football has ever seen.

The victory also means that the four-time continental winners also booked a semifinal against Al-Ain of the UAE who defeated Al-Nassr in a penalty shootout 24 hours earlier, after a thrilling two legs that ended 4-4 on aggregate.

This game had little of that drama, excitement and rollercoaster thrills and spills. This was partly because with Al-Hilal 2-0 up from the first leg at home last week, few expected anything other than their name to go forward into the last four.

With Al-Ittihad needing to win, it was no surprise that they started brightly, putting Al-Hilal under pressure and pushing them back.

After 16 minutes Romarinho picked up the ball outside the right of the area, jinked to his left and then unleashed a low shot that came off the foot of the post with Mohammed Al-Owais beaten.

There was not much to write back to Riyadh about the rest of the half in terms of attempts on goal but Al-Ittihad came close just moments into the second half. Abderrazak Hamdallah slipped the ball through to Marwan Al-Sahafi who had just the goalkeeper to beat but his low shot was well-saved by Al-Owais. He made an even better save soon after, flying through the air to make a one-handed stop from a long-range effort by Ahmed Al-Ghamdi.

There was always a sense that Al-Hilal would have their moment and it came on the hour. It was well-worked. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic found Yasser Al-Shahrani on the left side of a crowded area and the fullback quickly shifted the ball from left foot to right, and then rolled a low shot past the diving Abdullah Al-Mayouf.

From that moment on, there was surely no doubt that this tie was over and that Al-Ittihad were not going to stage an Al-Nassr-style comeback; so the question became whether Al-Hilal could hold on for the win to set a new record.

Al-Owais spilling a cross 15 minutes from the end did not help their chances but fortunately for the goalkeeper, 16-year-old substitute Talal Haji fired the loose ball over the bar.

The game and Al-Ittihad’s Asian campaign ended with a whimper and a red card for Hamdallah who reacted badly after being fouled by Ali Al-Bulaihi. There was enough time for Malcom to burst through to make it 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate. That sealed a place in the last four, a 28th straight win to stay on course for a more important record — a fifth Asian title.


Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Updated 22 December 2024
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Green Falcons fall to defeat against Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Arabia lost 3-2 to Bahrain on Sunday to get their challenge for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup off to the worst possible start.

The defeat at the hands of their rivals in 2026 World Cup qualification leaves Herve Renard’s men with it all to do if they are to finish in the top two places in Group B and progress to the semi-final.

It also means that the Green Falcons have won just one of their last eight competitive matches.

Bahrain, who drew with Saudi Arabia in October in the final match of Roberto Mancini’s troubled tenure, took the lead in the 19th minute in Kuwait City with a well-worked corner.

Mahdi Al-Humaidan swung over a cross from the right and there was Mahdi Abduljabbar to met the ball at the near post and send a powerful header into the opposite top corner.

Seven minutes before the break and Bahrain extended their lead. Mohamed Marhoon’s low cross from the right took a slight touch from Ali Lajami to help the ball on its way to Humaidan who shot past Nawaf Al-Aqidi from close range.

Saudi Arabia have not won the trophy for 20 years and Renard had selected a strong team to start this campaign and they got back into the game with 17 minutes remaining. 

Bahrain failed to deal with a ball into the area and there was Musab Al-Juwayr to side foot the ball beautifully home from the right side of the area. 

Suddenly the Saudi Arabian fans in the Jaber International Stadium were on their feet but not for long as three minutes later, Marhoon restored Bahrain’s two-goal cushion in exquisite fashion.

Mohamed Al-Romaih’s volleyed pass from midway in the Saudi Arabian half floated over the heads of the green backline for Marhoon to gently lift the ball over Al-Aqidi.

To Saudi Arabia’s credit, they kept coming back and were given a penalty with four minutes remaining as Amine Benaddi handled in the area. It looked as if Salem Al-Dawsari was going to take the kick but the star of the team, who missed from the spot against Indonesia and Bahrain in recent World Cup qualifiers, handed the ball to Salem Al-Shehri who made no mistake.

The 2004 champions were unable to get the third goal that would have earned a point and now face Yemen, who earlier lost 1-0 to Iraq, in need of improvement, a lift and — most importantly — a win.


Renard confident Green Falcons ready for Gulf Cup challenge

Updated 21 December 2024
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Renard confident Green Falcons ready for Gulf Cup challenge

  • Frenchman emphasized that his team was aiming for significant results rather than merely gaining experience

KUWAIT CITY: Herve Renard, the Saudi national football team’s head coach, expressed confidence on Saturday in his team’s readiness to compete at the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which gets underway on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference, the Frenchman emphasized that his team was aiming for significant results rather than merely gaining experience.

“We are here to participate effectively and win,” Renard said. “This tournament provides a great platform to work with the players and prepare them for future competitions.”

Renard also said the tournament was a good way to enhance the technical and physical capabilities of his players.

He provided updates on key players, confirming that defender Hassan Tambakti was fully ready for action. However, he said Salem Al-Dawsari was still working to regain full fitness.

Renard praised Al-Dawsari’s dedication to his recovery process, saying it demonstrated his commitment to the team.

Meanwhile, striker Firas Al-Brikan is dealing with an injury, and his participation will depend on further medical evaluations.

Acknowledging the challenges of the competition, Renard said: “I accepted this challenge because I believe in the players’ capabilities. We must work with team spirit and focus on improvement in the coming period.”

The Saudi team get their campaign up and running against Bahrain on Sunday, and Renard stressed the importance of delivering a strong performance to set the tone for the tournament.


Green Falcons arrive in Kuwait for 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

Updated 21 December 2024
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Green Falcons arrive in Kuwait for 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

RIYADH: The Saudi national football team arrived in Kuwait on Friday ahead of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup to take place from Dec. 21 until Jan. 3 next year.

Upon arrival at Kuwait International Airport, the team was welcomed by Deputy Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait Yahya Al-Qahtani and several other officials, state news agency SPA reported.

The Green Falcons are scheduled to conduct an evening training session on Saturday at the Yarmouk Club Stadium, with the first 15 minutes opened for members of the media.


Monika Staab steps down as technical director of women’s football in Saudi Arabia

Updated 21 December 2024
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Monika Staab steps down as technical director of women’s football in Saudi Arabia

  • A former player from Germany, she came to the Kingdom in August 2021 as the first head coach of the Saudi women’s national team
  • Appointed technical director in February 2023, she is credited with transforming the women’s game in the country and inspiring a new generation of players

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced on Friday the departure of Monika Staab, its technical director of women’s football, after more than three years with the organization.

She was credited with transforming the women’s game in the Kingdom during her tenure and for inspiring a new generation of players to take up the sport.

Staab, a former player from Germany, joined the federation in August 2021, initially as the first head coach of the Saudi women’s national team. The federation said her leadership and vision played a pivotal role in shaping its strategy for women’s football, driving growth both on and off the pitch. She was appointed technical director in February 2023.

She coached the women’s national team in their first-ever match, a landmark 2-0 victory over the Seychelles in February 2022. Under her guidance, the Kingdom launched its first regional league for women in 2021, followed by a national football championship in 2022.

Staab also spearheaded the introduction of under-17 and under-20 women’s national teams, laying the foundations for the development of future talent.

Staab leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of milestones that have shaped women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the federation said. (SAFF)

In March 2023, she helped the Saudi women’s national team secure its first-ever FIFA ranking, and this month they reached their highest-ever position, climbing eight places to 166th. The team is now about to begin its campaign to qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Staab leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of milestones that have shaped women’s football in Saudi Arabia, the federation said.

“We bid farewell to Monika and thank her for helping to transform women’s football across Saudi Arabia,” said Lamia Bahaian, the organization’s vice president, as she expressed her deep gratitude for Staab’s contributions.

“Her vision, passion and tenacity have inspired us all. There are young girls across Saudi Arabia now playing football at all levels thanks to the work she has done and the impact she’s had.

“Although her time with SAFF has drawn to a close, her legacy will continue for generations.”

Bayan Sadagah, the captain of the women’s national team, said: “Monika has inspired both myself and all my teammates to believe in ourselves and our team. Our journey as a team is inspiring so many girls across the country to play and follow football, and I know we all wish her the very best for the future.”

The federation said women’s football has become a cornerstone of its strategy to grow the sport at all levels and participation has surged, with more than 70,000 schoolgirls playing football across the country.


Saudi Arabia conclude preparations for 26th Gulf Cup

Updated 20 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia conclude preparations for 26th Gulf Cup

  • The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard

RIYADH: The Saudi national football team on Friday completed its preparatory training camp in Riyadh ahead of the start of the 26th Gulf Cup, set to take place in Kuwait from Saturday to Jan. 3 next year.

The camp, which ran from Dec. 12 to Friday, put the Green Falcons through an intensive training program under the guidance of head coach Herve Renard.

The final training session, held at Al-Shabab Club Stadium, included warm-up drills, possession exercises, and a mini-game played on half the pitch.

Star player Salem Al-Dawsari, who is returning from injury, participated in the warm-up exercises alongside his teammates and underwent additional specialized training with the fitness coach to fine-tune his readiness for the tournament.

Following the training session, the Saudi delegation departed for Kuwait.

Head coach Renard will hold a press conference on Saturday at the tournament’s media center at the Crown Plaza Hotel, where he will outline the team’s strategy and expectations ahead of their opening match against Bahrain on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup on three occasions — with the first title in 1994 and the last win coming in 2004 — and have been on the losing side of four finals since 2009.