Al-Hilal defensive duo Koulibaly and Al-Bulayhi hailed for frustrating red carded Ronaldo ABU DHABI: Jorge Jesus praised defensive duo Kalidou Koulibaly and Ali Al-Bulayhi for shutting out Cristiano Ronaldo as Al-Hilal reached the Saudi Super Cup final by defeating Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr 2-1 on Monday night in Abu Dhabi. Al-Hilal recorded their third victory over … Read more
At the end of September, 2023, Domingos Soares De Oliveira was announced as the new CEO of Ittihad Club Company, and in February he was named as part of the club’s new three-man Sporting Committee, alongside Sporting Director Ramon Planes and coach Marcelo Gallardo. The moves look to give the reigning Saudi Pro League champions … Read more
JEDDAH: Karim Benzema returned to training with Al-Ittihad on Friday night after recovering from a lower-back injury, Arriyadiyah has reported. Injuries have blighted a stop-start season for the Frenchman, but his return during the international break is timely for Marcelo Gallardo as the coach attempts to salvage what has been a disappointing season for the … Read more
RIYADH: In then end, after a night full of drama, penalties and eventual heartbreak, it was just not enough for Al-Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo and co will have to wait a year for their next shot at continental glory, but at least they gave their fans a performance to be proud of on Monday as well as a … Read more
Eddie Howe refuses to point fingers at Newcastle United players after slump at Chelsea LONDON: Eddie Howe is refusing to point fingers at his Newcastle United players after their latest error-strewn Premier League show at Chelsea. Mistakes from Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff littered another poor away-day show as the Magpies were well-beaten … Read more
‘Amazing to be part of this club’: Al-Ittihad women’s goalkeeping coach Dan Smith Behind the ambition, the astronomical transfer fees, and the star power of the men’s game, in recent years another transformation has been quietly taking place in Saudi Arabian football. While the headlines have been about Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Neymar, Malcom, Karim … Read more
LONDON: West Indies legend Kieron Pollard can play a big role in ensuring Mumbai Indians win the Indian Premier League this year, according to head coach Mark Boucher. Pollard, who is now batting coach at the IPL giants, had a glittering career as a player with the franchise, winning five titles over eight seasons, including … Read more
Al-Ittihad’s defense of the Saudi Pro League title has largely been one to forget. Despite some early season promise that had them top for the first month, the wheels quickly fell off culminating in a disappointing showing in December’s FIFA Club World Cup and speculation that star signing Karim Benzema wanted out. As recently as … Read more
Eddie Howe sets ambitious Newcastle United target with Joelinton deal top of priority list NEWCASTLE: Persuading key man Joelinton to pen a new Newcastle United deal is a “priority” for Eddie Howe, even with chief negotiator Dan Ashworth out of the Magpies’ exit door. The Brazilian has been a huge miss in the Newcastle midfield … Read more
Al-Ittihad progress to Asian Champions League quarter-finals despite early Benzema own goal Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad squeezed into the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Thursday thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Navbahor of Uzbekistan, following a goalless draw in the first leg … Read more