Latest news with #AFCChampionsLeague
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Predicted Celtic XI for Ajax as Kieran Tierney builds himself up for Champions League D Day
The Hoops are back in action on Lake Como with two final pre-season outings ahead of the real deal The real deal is creeping up on Celtic fast as they bring pre-season to a close on Lake Como. Brendan Rodgers' men have already lifted the Cork Super Cup and Adidas Trophy so far this summer and they could make it a mini-summer Treble over the course of the next few days with Dutch giants Ajax the first hurdle for the Scottish champions. It is the first of two games for Celtic in Italy with the winner facing hosts Como in the final - a game that would represent a quick-fire reunion with Nicolas Kuhn, should the Hoops come out victorious over the Dutch giants. The hosts claimed a 3–1 victory over Al-Ahli meaning they make the final with the reigning AFC Champions League holders the opponents for the team who lose out in the third place play-off. The Hoops are still active in the market and new faces are expected to arrive in the coming weeks while the likes of Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers are back on the grass and latest recruit Shin Yamada is in the building to provide competition up top. Celtic's defence of their Scottish Premiership crown kicks off next weekend as they host St Mirren on flag day while one big eye will be on the Champions League hurdle that needs successfully negotiated to once again dine with Europe's top dogs at the big table. Rodgers and Co will need to win a play-off two-legged tie and games like this one against top opposition will give the squad confidence and a realistic test ahead of the big competitive return. A thumping win over Newcastle United at Parkhead last time out will mean the positive atmosphere will be booming in the camp as the squad continue to get crucial minutes into the legs. With two games coming around fast, Rodgers is likely to use the fixtures to boost match fitness across his squad and with that in mind, Record Sport has looked at how they could line up in tonight's first game with Ajax. Potential Celtic predicted XI to face Ajax New signing Benjamin Nygren will again start as will Kieran Tierney. Speaking ahead of the clash, boss Rodgers said: 'It's a beautiful setting and we're really looking forward to being here. 'It'll bring to an end the games in our pre-season, which have been designed to build in intensity and quality. 'We're glad that we've come here and we've got two good games that will test us.' 'I'm so looking forward to playing Ajax in the first game. They're a historical club just like ourselves who produce some really good players. 'They'll play a real good style of football so it will be a good test for us.'
New York Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino joins Qatari club Al Sadd
Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has joined Qatari club Al Sadd on a two-year deal. Firmino joins from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, where he won last season's AFC Champions League Elite — the most prestigious club competition in Asian football. Al Sadd are Qatar's most successful club with 18 domestic league titles, and are currently coached by former Qatar and Ecuador head coach Felix Sanchez. Al-Sadd sign Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino until 2027#السد | #AlSadd #Firmino9 | #ASadd — 🏆 #81 Al Sadd SC | نادي السد (@AlsaddSC) July 23, 2025 Firmino scored 21 goals and provided 17 assists in 65 appearances for Al Ahli. He signed a three-year deal with the club in the summer of 2023 following the expiration of his contract at Liverpool. The former Brazil international previously spent eight seasons at Anfield, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup under Jurgen Klopp. He scored 111 goals in 362 appearances during his time on Merseyside, where he played in a front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The most recent of Firmino's 55 appearances for Brazil, for whom he has scored 17 goals, came in 2021. ()
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Al Hilal withdraws from the Saudi Super Cup due to hectic schedule
Al Hilal is to skip the 2025-26 Saudi Super Cup, set for next month, amid its hectic schedule. Al Hilal finished the recent Saudi Pro League season second behind champion Al-Ittihad in late May, having been knocked out of the King's Cup quarterfinals and AFC Champions League elite semis. The Riyadh-based club then headed to the United States, where it kicked off its FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign on June 18 against giant Real Madrid. It made it to the knockout stages, where it stunned Manchester City in the last 16 before losing to Fluminense in the quarterfinals on July 4. ALSO READ | Liverpool agrees deal to sign Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, according to reports The Saudi Super Cup is to be held between August 19-23 in Hong Kong, with the league campaign usually getting underway in late August. Its CWC campaign and following flight complications 'reduced the players' annual leave to only 24 days in the event of withdrawal, and to 21 days if the club participated in the Super Cup,' with the rules granting them 'a minimum of 28 days of annual leave,' the club said in a statement. Al Hilal was forced to postpone its pre-season preparations, 'which further increased the competitive imbalance among participating clubs,' the statement ran, citing a letter sent to the local football federation. The Saudi federation (SAFF) said, in response, it 'will begin taking the necessary measures in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations through the relevant committees,' without providing more details.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Al Hilal withdraw from the Saudi Super Cup
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Al Hilal are to skip the 2025-26 Saudi Super Cup, set for next month, amid their hectic schedule. Al Hilal finished the recent Saudi Pro League season second behind champions Al-Ittihad in late May, having been knocked out of the King's Cup quarter-finals and AFC Champions League elite semis. The Riyadh-based club then headed to the United States, where they kicked off their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against giants Real Madrid. They made it to the knockout stages, where they stunned Manchester City in the last 16 before losing to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4. The Saudi Super Cup is to be held between August 19-23 in Hong Kong, with the league campaign usually getting underway in late August. Their CWC campaign and following flight complications "reduced the players' annual leave to only 24 days in the event of withdrawal, and to 21 days if the club participated in the Super Cup," with the rules granting them "a minimum of 28 days of annual leave," the club said in a statement. Al Hilal were forced to postpone their pre-season preparations, "which further increased the competitive imbalance among participating clubs," the statement ran citing a letter sent to the local soccer federation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US passenger jet has close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety The Saudi federation (SAFF) said, in response, they "will begin taking the necessary measures in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations through the relevant committees," without providing more details. REUTERS
CairoScene
15-07-2025
- Sport
- CairoScene
Jorge Jesus Returns to Saudi League as Al-Nassr's New Coach
The 70‑year‑old coach returns to Riyadh with a one‑year deal, replacing Stefano Pioli after leading Al‑Hilal to a domestic treble and an AFC semi‑final berth. Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus has officially signed a one-year contract to lead Al‑Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, following his departure from rival club Al‑Hilal two months ago. His previous season with Al‑Hilal was marked by success - a domestic treble and a deep run in the AFC Champions League - before he exited in May after a semifinal defeat to Al‑Ahli. Al‑Nassr confirmed the signing in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the move is intended to revitalise their coaching staff under the management of Stefano Pioli's predecessor . The reigning nine-time Saudi champions also recently extended Cristiano Ronaldo's contract.
