Latest news with #Ettifaq
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Inconsistent Al-Hilal drop more points with time running out for title hopes
DAMMAM: Second-place Al-Hilal fell further behind in the Saudi Pro League title race on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Ettifaq. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport With just three wins from their last nine games, the defending champions are seven points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad with only seven games left to play. It was a game coach Jorge Jesus will know the Riyadh side should have won, especially after spending much of the second half on the attack. Ettifaq, driven forward by the in-form Gini Wijnaldum, enjoyed a bright first half and took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a spectacular opener. Joao Costa found the ball far from the Al-Hilal goal and the 20-year-old unleashed a fierce shot that flew into the net. The visitors emerged from the break full of purpose, with Aleksandar Mitrovic shooting straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the area. Just three minutes before the hour mark, they were level. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic set Renan Lodi free down the left and the full-back reached the byline before pulling back a short ball to his Brazilian compatriot, Malcom, who fired high into the roof of the net from close range. It was suddenly anybody's game but the visitors were undoubtedly in the ascendancy. Just three minutes later, the 19-time champions almost took the lead with the same move, except this time Marcos Leonardo got on the end of it and could not quite wrap his foot around the ball at the near post. Next, a Kaio Cesar shot from the opposite side of the area was well-blocked. Deep into injury time, Abdullah Al-Hamdan came close with a flying header, only for his attempt to land on the top of the net. Al-Hilal left frustrated, while Ettifaq remain in eighth place. Earlier, Al-Ahli moved into fourth spot with a 2-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Al-Raed. Franck Kessie scored in the first half from the penalty spot, then Gabri Veiga, returning to action after a lengthy absence through injury, sealed the points midway through the second half.
Arab News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Wijnaldum ensures Eastern derby ends all square
RIYADH: The Eastern derby ended 1-1 on Saturday as Al-Qadsiah were held by Ettifaq in what was a blow to their chances of a top-three finish, and a place in next season's AFC Champions League. Newly promoted Al-Qadsiah took the lead, had the best of the possession, chances and the game in general, but could not get the all-important second goal to kill the contest off, and Wijnaldum ensured that they paid the price in the second half. Al-Qadsiah remain fourth on the Saudi Pro League table, two points behind Al-Nassr and five behind second-placed Al-Hilal. Mo gets off the mark #AlQadsiahAlEttifaq | #RoshnSaudiLeague — AlQadsiah Saudi Club (@AlQadsiahEN) April 5, 2025 Going into the game, the hosts were on a high after booking their first-ever place in the final of the King's Cup on Wednesday, and all was looking good at the break as they took the lead. Mohammed Qasem picked up the ball on the left, near the Ettifaq area, and curled a cross into the six-yard box. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tried to get a head on it and did enough to distract goalkeeper Marek Rodak, who could not gather the ball. Instead, it bounced out to Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, who reacted quickly to fire home from close range. Ettifaq have been in good form, however, since the departure of Steven Gerrard as head coach in late January. Under Saad Al-Shehri, the replacement for the Liverpool legend, the Greens had taken 16 points from their last previous eight games to move up to seventh in the table, though the last match was a defeat against struggling Al-Fayha. They were always in the game and then, three minutes after the hour, grabbed the equalizer. It came from a similar position on the pitch as Qadsiah's opener. Vitinho curled a free kick into the area for a number of white shirts to attack the ball and Wijnaldum got there first, heading past goalkeeper Koen Casteels. It was the 11th league goal of the season for the former Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, an impressive return. Both teams pushed forward in an attempt to take all three points, but in the end, they had to settle for one each.
Associated Press
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Ronaldo kicks the ball away in anger as Duran head slap earns red card
An apparently light slap earned Colombia forward Jhon Duran a straight red card in just his fourth match for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. On Friday in stoppage time, while play seemed to have stopped, he appeared to give a glancing slap to the back of the head of Ettifaq midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki. Al-Malki dropped and rolled on the ground. The referee issued a red card despite the protests of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Associated Press
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Head slap earns red card for Jhon Duran in his fourth Saudi Pro League game
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An apparently light slap earned Colombia forward Jhon Duran a straight red card in just his fourth match for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. Duran was signed in January from Aston Villa for a reported 64 million pounds ($80 million) and scored four goals in his first two league appearances. But on Friday in stoppage time, while play seemed to have stopped, he appeared to give a glancing slap to the back of the head of Ettifaq midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki. Al-Malki dropped and rolled on the ground. The referee issued a red card despite the protests of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Al-Nassr lost to Ettifaq 3-2, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak, and leaving the team eight points behind leader Al-Ittihad, which has a game in hand. ___
Saudi Gazette
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Ettifaq sack Steven Gerrard after poor results, appoint Saad Al-Shehri as new head coach
Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — Ettifaq FC has sacked head coach Steven Gerrard after a string of poor results in the Saudi Pro League, appointing Saudi coach Saad Al-Shehri as his decision comes midway through the 2024-2025 season following Ettifaq's disappointing performances, which saw the team struggle to meet the club officially announced that both parties had reached a mutual agreement to part ways, sources indicate that Gerrard was dismissed from training due to mounting pressure over the team's lackluster President Samer Al Misehal expressed gratitude for Gerrard's efforts but emphasized the need for change. 'First and foremost, we extend our sincere thanks to Steven for his dedication and hard work. However, football is a results-driven game, and after thorough discussions, we felt it was in the club's best interest to move in a different direction,' Al Misehal who took charge of Ettifaq in July 2023, had been seen as a key figure in the club's transformation. However, despite his efforts, the team struggled to maintain consistency, prompting management to take decisive his farewell statement, Gerrard acknowledged the challenges faced during his time at Ettifaq. 'I want to thank the club, the players, and the fans for their support. It's been a valuable experience, but sometimes things don't go as planned in football. I leave with respect for Ettifaq and wish them success moving forward,' he said. Ettifaq has swiftly moved to appoint Saad Al-Shehri as the new head coach. The Saudi tactician, known for his success with the U-23 national team, brings a wealth of experience in developing young talent. His immediate task will be to stabilize Ettifaq's campaign and guide them back to winning ways.
