Al-Ittihad cruise to victory in first round of FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Ittihad cruise to victory in first round of FIFA Club World Cup
Ittihad's French midfielder #07 N'Golo Kante (R) fights for the ball near Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema (L) during the FIFA Club World Cup first round football match between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah, on December 12, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 13 December 2023
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Al-Ittihad cruise to victory in first round of FIFA Club World Cup

Al-Ittihad cruise to victory in first round of FIFA Club World Cup
  • The Jeddah side’s stars shine in front of home crowd, and a global TV audience, as they enjoy a comfortable 3-0 win over Auckland City of New Zealand
  • First-half goals by Romarinho, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema secure the victory, the reward for which is a 2nd-round clash against Egyptian side Al-Ahly on Friday

Al-Ittihad’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign got off to a winning start in Jeddah on Tuesday as they defeated Auckland City 3-0. Their reward is a second-round clash against Egyptian side Al-Ahly on Friday.

On a night of driving rain, the team’s stars shone as fans watched worldwide. Romarinho, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema put the hosts three goals to the good by the end of the first half, as the visitors from Oceania were swept aside.

In fact it was one-way traffic for most of the game, in front of an appreciative home crowd. As early as the second minute, Romarinho put a shot just wide and this set the scene for the relentless pressure to come from the reigning Saudi champions.

The New Zealanders did manage to look fairly comfortable for a 10-minute spell as they worked to keep the ball, but despite this they were relieved to watch Igor Coronado fire over the bar from inside the area.

Soon after, Al-Ittihad were calling for a penalty but the referee waved the appeals away. The attacks kept coming, however, with Benzema having two or three half chances, and it began to look like the deadlock would be broken at any time.

That time turned out to be the 29th minute, although there was a touch of good fortune about Romarinho’s opener — perhaps fittingly, given it was the Brazilian’s birthday. His shot from the edge of the area might well have beaten Conor Tracey anyway but the deflection it took off of Nathan Lobo left the goalkeeper with no chance.

He did, however, make a fine save from another attempt by Romarinho minutes later, diving to clear a looping shot that looked destined for the back of the net.

 

 

Even so, the crowd only had a few minutes to wait to celebrate another goal, which this time came from the unlikely boot of Kante. Tracey managed to punch a cross clear but only as far as the former Chelsea midfielder, who produced a superbly controlled half-volley from the edge of the area that flew past the goalkeeper.

This prompted heartfelt celebrations of Kante’s second goal for the club and, from that point on, it was only a question of how many the Jeddah giants would score.

They added a third five minutes before the break when Benzema, shortly after pulling a shot wide of goal, tapped home from close range after some good work on the right from Muhannad Al-Shanqiti.

As the half-time whistle sounded, the statistic of 17 attempts on goal from Al-Ittihad and none at all from the New Zealanders told the story of the first 45 minutes.

The second half began with Benzema, who showed little sign of his recent injury, weaving through the Auckland defense to force a fine diving save from the still busy Tracey. He had plenty to do in the second half, saving well from Coronado, among others, but it was perhaps understandable that Al-Ittihad’s first-half sense of urgency had dissipated a little.

Indeed, Auckland started to look a little more dangerous and, with 20 minutes remaining, Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe was finally called into action. The half produced a much better all-round performance from the Oceania representatives.

Long before the final whistle, however, Al-Ittihad had settled for the 3-0 victory, their thoughts no doubt turning toward the big clash with Al-Ahly on Friday, as two giants of Arab football meet. It will surely be a tougher test than this.


Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr appoint former AC Milan boss Pioli

Saudi club Al-Nassr announced Wednesday the appointment of Stefano Pioli as coach of the side headed up by Ronaldo.
Saudi club Al-Nassr announced Wednesday the appointment of Stefano Pioli as coach of the side headed up by Ronaldo.
Updated 18 September 2024
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Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr appoint former AC Milan boss Pioli

Saudi club Al-Nassr announced Wednesday the appointment of Stefano Pioli as coach of the side headed up by Ronaldo.
  • The Italian replaces Luis Castro, who parted ways with the club on Tuesday after a slow start to the season, both domestically and in the AFC Champions League
  • “Pioli is Nassrawi,” Al Nassr said a statement on social media platform X

RIYADH: Saudi club Al-Nassr announced Wednesday the appointment of Stefano Pioli as coach of the side headed up by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Italian replaces Luis Castro, who parted ways with the club on Tuesday after a slow start to the season, both domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
“Pioli is Nassrawi,” Al-Nassr said a statement on social media platform X.
“We welcome Stefano Pioli as our new coach.”

 

The 58-year-old was AC Milan boss from October 2019 to May 2024, and oversaw the club’s Serie A title-winning campaign in 2022.
Prior to his near five-year stint at the Rossoneri, Pioli coached Italian sides including Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Lazio and Bologna.
He started his managerial career in 2003 with Salernitana and had worked exclusively in his native Italy up until his appointment by Al-Nassr.
His Portuguese predecessor Castro was the third coach to depart Al-Nassr since Ronaldo’s groundbreaking arrival in early 2023 on a contract that was said to net him 400 million euros over two-and-a-half years.

 


The highly decorated Ronaldo is yet to win a Saudi trophy with the Riyadh club, with his sole silverware so far being last year’s Arab Club Champions Cup.
Al-Nassr, who finished a distant second in the last Saudi Pro League season, have drawn twice in three matches at the start of the new campaign and on Monday drew 1-1 with Iraq’s Al-Shorta in their AFC Champions League Elite opener.


Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League

Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League
Updated 17 September 2024
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Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League

Joao Cancelo scores for Al-Hilal in win over Al-Rayyan in Asian Champions League

DOHA, Qatar: Joao Cancelo scored his first goal for Al-Hilal as the Saudi Arabian club beat Qatari club Al-Rayyan 3-1 in the Asian Champions League Elite tournament on Tuesday.
The Portuguese international, signed from Manchester City, scored just before halftime. Earlier, Serbia international Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring for the four-time Asian champion. Cancelo then assisted Marcos Leonardo for the third before the break.
Early in the second half Roger Guedes scored for Al-Rayyan but it was the Saudi Arabians who came closest to scoring again as Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a penalty.
Al-Hilal’s Riyadh rival Al-Nassr drew 1-1 with Al-Shorta of Iraq on Monday when Cristiano Ronaldo stayed in Saudi Arabia after being diagnosed with a viral infection.
In this revamped tournament, the 24 teams have been divided into two groups of 12, divided into east and west geographic zones, and each plays eight games. The top eight from each group progresses to the round of 16.
There were goals galore in the east. South Korean debutant Gwangju FC won 7-3 against Yokohama F.Marinos, the Japanese team that lost in May’s final.
Chinese teams enjoyed a good start. Shandong Taishan defeated Central Coast Mariners of Australia 3-1 while Shanghai Port won 4-1 against Pohang Steelers, three-time winners, of South Korea.
Elsewhere, Japan’s Vissel Kobe and Buriram United of Thailand drew 0-0.


Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro leaves the club

Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
Updated 17 September 2024
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Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro leaves the club

Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
  • The 63-year-old Portuguese boss arrived at the Saudi Pro League side club in July 2023
  • The club thanked ‘Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future’

JEDDAH: Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. The 63-year-old was appointed head coach in July 2023.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the club wrote: “Al-Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the club. Everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”


The duration of the Portuguese coach’s contract with Al-Nassr was not disclosed when he was appointed last year. His managerial career stretches back to 1998. He spent two seasons in charge of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, during which they recorded home and away wins over Real Madrid in the group stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. Immediately prior to joining Al-Nassr, he coached Brazilian side Botafogo.
Three games into the new season, Al-Nassr sit in seventh place in the league after a win and two draws. They finished last season runners-up to Al-Hilal.


Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season

Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season
Updated 16 September 2024
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Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season

Al-Ittihad rising: 5 talking points from Round 3 of the SPL season
  • Benzema-inspired Jeddah giants thrash We had to go top as Al-Hilal and Al-Ettifaq also maintain 100 percent starts

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League swung back into action after the two-week international break with Al-Ittihad — champions in 2022-2023 — signalling their intention to once again challenge for the title after a crushing 7-1 win over Al-Wehda that puts them top of the table.

Al-Ittihad explode into action on and off the pitch

As Sunday morning dawned, Al-Ittihad knew that they needed to beat old rivals Al-Wehda by six goals to move above Al-Hilal into top spot and they did just that, winning 7-1.

It started with 60,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City putting on a show with top-class tifos. Al-Wehda had started the season well but were unable to live with the Tigers who seem to be enjoying life under new coach Laurent Blanc. Karim Benzema certainly is, firing home a hat-trick (which included one spectacular strike) to remind the rest of the league that Al-Ittihad have a world-class striker but also a team full of firepower as well as a desire to get back the title after a disappointing season last time around.

And there’s more. New signing Moussa Diaby recorded no less than four assists, a feat that has never been bettered in the history of the league. If he continues this way and Benzema stays fit and in this kind of form, then Ittihad have a real chance. No wonder, at the end, that fans chanted “Bring on Al-Hilal.” Saturday’s clash against the champions should be a classic.

Al-Hilal and Al-Dawsari looking ominous

Three games, three wins, but did anyone really expect anything different? After the 3-0 win over Al-Riyadh, the opposition coach Sabri Lamouchi said that Al-Hilal are the best team in Asia. Few would argue with that.

Especially when they have Salem Al-Dawsari in such form. The 2022 Asian Player of the Year returned from international duty in China to inspire the champions. Not only did he open the scoring, he then made both for Aleksandar Mitrovic — the Serbian striker is also picking up where he left off last season. Al-Dawsari said that the new boys Marcos Leonardo and Joao Cancelo have slotted right in.

That is what happens under coach Jorge Jesus. Just like Manchester City in England, Al-Hilal are looking ominous even at this early stage. The positive for the rest of the league is that they have not yet played one of their title rivals and they also have the Asian Champions League this week to focus on. Their next opponents, Al-Ittihad, do not.

Ronaldo may benefit from midweek rest

After Al-Nassr’s 1-1 draw with Al-Ahli, fans in Iraq may be devastated that Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip for their AFC Champions League clash, but it could help Al-Nassr’s domestic challenge. It will not have gone unnoticed in the yellow corner of Riyadh that last season, Al-Hilal dropped six points over the whole campaign. Already in the first three games, Al-Nassr have dropped four. There is still a long way to go but they really need to get into their groove. Only a 99th minute own goal gave them a share of the points against Al-Ahli.

It ended a memorable match. These are two of the biggest teams in Asia, with an impressive following from Al-Ahli generating a great atmosphere. There are more twists to come this season, but Nassr cannot afford to fall too far behind the leaders.

Steven Gerrard setting the pace

A 2-1 win at Al-Fateh made it three wins from three for Al-Ettifaq this season. Last season, Steven Gerrard’s men also started well but this already looks a more solid version of the team from Dammam. The Greens have conceded only one goal in the three games and are looking hard to beat.

Gerrard has brought in a number of new players since the start of last season but Moussa Dembele remains arguably the most vital, scoring winning goals in the first two games including an impressive 1-0 victory at Al-Shabab on the opening day. At the back, former Al-Nassr centre-back Abdullah Madu already looks to be a rock and new goalkeeper Marek Rodak has settled in quickly. With Gini Wijnaldum and Seko Fofana looking good in midfield, there are reasons for fans in the east to be optimistic. Next week’s clash against Al-Nassr, who will be looking for revenge for last season’s early loss, is going to be one to watch.

Al-Qadsiah get a reality check

The newly-promoted team from the east lost their first game of the season, 1-0 to an Al-Shabab team that is looking more solid than in recent years. Al-Qadsiah made waves in the summer with signings such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Marseille and Nacho from Real Madrid. With two wins in the first two games, it was all looking a little easy but Al-Shabab demonstrated that life in the big time is going to be anything but. Going up against a well-organised defence with Nader Al-Sharari a standout, was a different challenge.

That is OK, as Al-Qadsiah — owned by Aramco — are still a work in progress. Even with the big names that coach Michel has at his disposal, there are no expectations for a title challenge this season. Fans will be excited to see where they place at the end of it all but, more pressing, is how they bounce back from their first defeat. There are two winnable fixtures before the big clash against Al-Ahli.


Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo diagnosed with viral infection, misses Iraq trip

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo diagnosed with viral infection, misses Iraq trip
Updated 15 September 2024
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Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo diagnosed with viral infection, misses Iraq trip

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo diagnosed with viral infection, misses Iraq trip
  • After a medical evaluation by the team's doctor, it was determined that Ronaldo requires rest

RIYADH: Al-Nassr’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo is unwell due to a viral infection, according to an official statement released by his club.

The team’s doctor said that Ronaldo requires rest and will not accompany the side on their trip to Iraq today for their Asian Champions League clash.

He will now miss the AFC Champions League match against Al-Shorta in Baghdad on Monday night.
The club’s statement confirmed that Ronaldo’s condition is being closely monitored and that Al-Nassr extended their wishes for a speedy recovery.

Ronaldo’s absence is a significant one for the team as they prepare for their upcoming match with Iraq’s Al-Shorta.