Latest news with #Al-Qadisiyah
Arab Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Ittihad wins King's Cup to complete domestic double
JEDDAH, May 31: Al-Ittihad added the King's Cup to its Saudi Pro League triumph, defeating Al-Qadisiyah 3-1 in front of 51,331 fans at Al-Enma Stadium, completing a historic domestic double. Having secured the league title just days earlier, Al-Ittihad lifted the King's Cup for the first time since 2018, when it also won 3-1 over Al-Faisaly at the same venue. The victory was powered by French striker Karim Benzema, who scored twice (34', 90+4'), while Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar added a third in the 43rd minute. Al-Qadisiyah's lone goal came from a penalty by Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (45+6). The team later went down to ten men after Argentine Ezequiel Fernandez received a second yellow card in the 81st minute. The title marks Al-Ittihad's 10th King's Cup win and grants its international stars—Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho—a historic milestone in their club careers. According to Opta, Benzema secured the second domestic double of his career, the first being with Lyon in the 2007–08 season. Kanté and Fabinho, meanwhile, celebrated their first domestic double despite previous success in European and international competitions. Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn also played a key role in the team's successful season, contributing goals and assists. However, his achievements in Saudi Arabia came amid ongoing tensions with Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who left him out of the national squad following his transfer to the Saudi league. Bergwijn, excluded throughout the season, criticized Koeman's handling of the situation, stating last September: "I don't want to play under this coach again. He disrespected me and never gave me a chance to explain myself." Following the double triumph, Bergwijn further addressed the issue, telling TV reporters: "Playing for the Netherlands is an honor, but the support from Al-Ittihad fans means more to me right now. My focus is here." Although rumors persist about a possible return to the national team, Bergwijn's strained relationship with Koeman and continued criticism of the coach may complicate any comeback.
Kuwait Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
How binary thinking reshapes our world - Dr Khalid Al-Saleh
How binary thinking reshapes our world By nature, human beings are considered social creatures. Yet, in reality, we tend to be more 'team-oriented' than truly social. From the moment we enter the world, society begins to shape us—not to engage openly with diverse ideas, but to pick a side. Whether in sports or politics, we are taught to align ourselves with one of two camps. In Kuwait's sports scene, local football passion is sharply divided between Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Arabi. In Saudi Arabia, it's Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. In Egypt, the rivalry is between Al-Ahly and Al-Zamalek. The fanbase is conditioned to believe in a binary: one team or the other, while other clubs are often sidelined—regardless of merit. This way of thinking reflects a broader psychological pattern: our minds are trained to accept a two-option reality, where everyone else is considered peripheral. The same binary logic appears in politics—though it's wrapped in formal language and social traditions. Children grow up hearing: 'We support this party,' or 'The other side doesn't understand anything.' Loyalty is inherited, not examined. Pride is taken in children parroting political slogans whose meanings they barely comprehend. In sports, fans are offered an image to idolize—star players and heroic victories. In politics, that image is often a flag, a leader, a dream of national greatness. In both cases, emotional investment is engineered. The strategy is similar: amplify identity, create rivalry, and convince the public that the other side is the villain. If your team loses? Blame the referee. If your candidate fails? Cry fraud. This binary mindset has expanded beyond local borders. Nations, too, fall into this programmed duality. The question is no longer who governs wisely, but who leads the world—America or China? Yesterday, it was America versus Russia. Today, it's another face-off, just with new players. Zero or one, red or blue—our brains seem to crave simplicity in a complex world. In the Arab region, this same narrative unfolds. The unspoken question: who leads the Arab world—Saudi Arabia or Egypt? The debate plays out not in political halls but on digital stages, where social media becomes an arena for rivalry and division, not dialogue. Caught in the middle is the audience. Ordinary people find themselves dragged into heated arguments and fruitless debates, sometimes escalating into real-world tensions. Meanwhile, those in power—politicians and club presidents alike—sit comfortably at elegant tables, exchanging pleasantries. In sports, millions are made in ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights. In politics, power consolidates quietly, and wealth multiplies. The public is left with frayed nerves and empty slogans. Perhaps it is time we pause and reconsider. The world is not limited to black or white. It is neither necessary nor healthy to constantly ask who is first or second. No country leads in everything, and there is no shame in someone else excelling in a given field. Extreme loyalty to a team, a leader, or a country—when it clouds judgment—becomes a form of intellectual bondage. What the Arab world needs today is not hollow pride or rivalry, but unity through cooperation. Our strength lies in integration, not polarization. We need a conscious, balanced society that dares to step outside the noise. But do we have the courage to be the rational voice in a world consumed by noise? Most of us are still walking paths designed for us, cheering more than we think, clapping more than we question. The choice to break free starts with awareness—and a refusal to be just another number in someone else's game. [email protected]
Saudi Gazette
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Toney strikes twice as Al-Ahli thrashes Al-Qadisiyah to close in on top four
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Ivan Toney scored twice as Al-Ahli secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Al-Qadisiyah on Tuesday, moving within three points of the top four in the Saudi Pro League. The result lifted Al-Ahli to 44 points, tightening the gap behind fourth-placed Al-Qadisiyah, which remained on 47 points after suffering a heavy defeat. Toney opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, giving the hosts an early lead. Al-Ahli doubled its advantage in the 27th minute when Mohamed Bakr fired a well-placed shot past the goalkeeper. Al-Qadisiyah's struggles deepened just before halftime when their own defender, Nacho Fernández, inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, making it 3-0 for Al-Ahli. The visitors attempted to stage a comeback in the second half as Julian Quiñones pulled one back in the 48th minute. However, Al-Ahli quickly restored its three-goal cushion when Toney converted his second penalty of the night just four minutes later, sealing an emphatic win for the Jeddah club. The defeat saw Al-Qadisiyah drop points at a crucial stage of the season, while Al-Ahli's dominant performance bolstered its bid for a Champions League qualification spot.
Arab Times
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr set for high-stakes classico in Roshn League
RIYADH, Feb 12: Al-Ahli is gearing up to host Al-Nassr in a highly anticipated classico that will ignite the 20th round of the Roshn Professional League today at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah. Al-Ahli is currently fifth with 38 points, trailing third-place Al-Nassr and fourth-place Al-Qadisiyah, both tied at 41 points. Their first-leg encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for a fierce rematch. Al-Ahli aims for a crucial victory to close the gap on the league leaders, while Al-Nassr is determined to keep pace with title contenders Al-Hilal (47 points) and Al-Ittihad (49 points). A win for Al-Nassr would strengthen its push to break into the championship race and avenge its first-round draw with Al-Ahli at First Park Stadium. However, Al-Nassr faces a challenging hurdle: its inability to extend a winning streak beyond four consecutive league matches this season. Under Italian coach Stefano Pioli, the team has repeatedly failed to secure a fifth straight victory, and momentum has stalled after four consecutive wins. So far, Al-Nassr has won 12 of its 19 league matches, but each time it reaches a four-game winning streak, it falters in the next match. This time, Al-Ahli stands in the way, and Al-Nassr is eager to break the cycle. Pioli's first winning streak began after taking over from Portuguese coach Luis Castro, leading Al-Nassr to victories over Al-Ettifaq, Al-Wahda, Al-Arabiya, and Al-Shabab before being held to a dramatic 3-3 draw against Al-Khulud. The question now is whether Al-Nassr can finally overcome its streak-ending jinx and claim a vital win against Al-Ahli.
Arab Times
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Saudi Federation apologizes for referee's blunder in Al-Hilal vs Al-Qadisiyah match
RIYADH, Jan 29: The Saudi Football Federation has acknowledged a refereeing error in the Al-Hilal vs Al-Qadisiyah match in the Saudi Premier League, according to local media reports. Al-Qadisiyah secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Al-Hilal on Monday in Dammam, concluding the 17th round of the league. A controversial moment occurred in the 42nd minute when Al-Qadisiyah's Nacho Fernandez made a handball during a joint challenge with Al-Hilal's Sergej Savic, prompting calls for a penalty from the "leader" players. However, Austrian referee Julian Weinberger dismissed these appeals, awarding an indirect free kick to Al-Qadisiyah instead, after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). Refereeing expert Muhammad Kamal Risha called the decision "strange" in statements to Al-Riyadhiyah. Al-Jazirah newspaper reported that the VAR official advised the on-field referee that Nacho should have been sent off for deliberately handling the ball and that a penalty should have been awarded to Al-Hilal. Despite this, Weinberger stood by his decision, calling it offside. The Saudi Football Federation's referees committee has since confirmed that the decision not to expel Nacho was incorrect, with no valid justification for the call. Meanwhile, the 18th round of the Roshn Professional League kicks off today with three matches: Al-Orobah vs. Al-Ahly, Al-Riyadh vs. Al-Wehda, and Al-Raed vs. Al-Nasr.
