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2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
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Manchester City's English defender #02 Kyle Walker lifts the trophy after the FIFA Club World Cup final football match between Brazil's Fluminense and England's Manchester City at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on December 22, 2023. (AFP)
2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
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Manchester City team celebrate with their winning trophy at the end of the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 football final match against Brazil's Fluminense at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on December 22, 2023. (Photo by Giuseppe Cacace / AFP)
2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
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Football teams' flags hang at the Fifa Club World Cup Fan Village in the Saudi Red Sea resort town of Jeddah on December 20, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 25 December 2023
Khaled Al-Arafah
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2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah

2023 FIFA Club World Cup sets new tournament records in Jeddah
  • Record crowds attended the opening matches with an all-time tournament high of 50,000 watching the opening game between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Updated 25 December 2023
Khaled Al-Arafah
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JEDDAH: The 20th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah from Dec. 12 to 22, set several new records for the tournament.

The competition featured thrilling games among the participating teams and was attended by fans from around the world.

This year’s edition was marked by a special stamp in the passports of travelers arriving in the Kingdom through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah as part of an initiative carried out by the Kingdom’s sports and interior ministries.

And English Premier League side Manchester City became the latest team to lift the trophy.

Record crowds attended the opening matches with an all-time tournament high of 50,000 watching the opening game between Al-Ittihad and Auckland City at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

International media coverage of the cup contest was also at its highest levels with 444 journalists in attendance for games at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal stadiums.

Fan zones at the grounds and other sites in Jeddah also proved popular with visitors.

Al-Ittihad’s French star Karim Benzema became the first player to score in four different editions of the FIFA Club World Cup, while Manchester City player Julian Alvarez’s first-minute strike in his team’s 4-0 final victory against Fluminense of Brazil, set the record for the fastest goal in the history of the tournament.

City’s Spanish coach Pep Guardiola became the most successful football manager in terms of winning the title, with his fourth success. And Al-Ahly from Egypt won the bronze medal for the fourth time.

Topics: FIFA World Cup Club 2023 Manchester city Fluminense

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Green Falcons fall to Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Green Falcons fall to Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match
Updated 23 December 2024
John Duerden
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Green Falcons fall to Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match

Green Falcons fall to Bahrain in opening Gulf Cup match
  • Uphill battle to make the semifinals after 3-2 loss
  • Saudi Arabia have not won the trophy for 20 years
Updated 23 December 2024
John Duerden

KUWAIT CITY: Saudi Arabia lost 3-2 to Bahrain here 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 for 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 semifinal.

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 with a well-worked corner.

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

Bahrain extended their lead seven minutes before the break. 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.

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.

The Green Falcons need improvement, a lift and — most importantly — a win.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Bahrain Gulf Cup 26th Gulf Cup

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

Renard confident Green Falcons ready for Gulf Cup challenge
  • Frenchman emphasized that his team was aiming for significant results rather than merely gaining experience
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News

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.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Gulf Cup 26th Gulf Cup

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Green Falcons arrive in Kuwait for 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

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

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

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.

Topics: football Arabian Gulf Cup

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

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

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
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News

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.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Monika Staab

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Saudi Arabia conclude preparations for 26th Gulf Cup

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

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
Updated 20 December 2024
Arab News

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.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia Gulf Cup 26th Gulf Cup

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